The Bible
mentions three men dying on crosses and they all have a story tell.
Cross #1—a thief DYING IN SIN.
“And one of the
criminals who hanged there was hurling abuse at Him saying, “Are You not the
Christ? Save yourself and us” (Luke 24:39). This thief called out to be saved,
but he wasn’t sorry for his sins. He
wanted to be saved from punishment for his crimes but his heart had not changed.
This man died IN his sins.
This man
represents those who want to be saved from punishment but don’t want to be
saved from their sins. Jesus told the Pharisees (who
rejected Him), “I go away, and you shall seek Me, and shall die IN your sin; where
I am going you cannot come” (John 8:21) Jesus said that dying in your sins
keeps you from going where He was going, which was Heaven.
Cross #2—a thief DYING TO
SIN.
The second thief said, “We are receiving what we deserve for our deeds,
but this man has done nothing wrong…Jesus, remember me when You come in Your
kingdom.” And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me
in Paradise” (Luke 24:41-43). This thief was sorry for his sins and wanted
Jesus to save his soul. This thief represents those who see Jesus dying for their
sins, have a change of heart and are willing to die to their sinful ways.
Cross #3—a Savior DYING
FOR SIN.
Jesus went to the cross for one purpose—the die for the sins of the world. Isaiah
53:6 says, “The Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him.” Jesus
bore our sins in His own body on the cross (1 Peter 2:24). That means salvation
from sin is only found in Jesus Christ.
Matthew 1:21 says, “He will save His people from their sins.”
Both thieves called
out to be saved but only one was
saved. What was the difference? The first thief wasn’t sincere and had no
change of heart. If Jesus had set him free, he would have returned to his life
of crime. The second thief wanted to be saved from his sins. If Jesus had set
him free, he would have turned from his sinful life and would have followed
Him. Which one of these thieves represents you? www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com
******************************
NEW
VIDEO TEACHING (10 minutes): "7 Signs of
the End-Times" Four signs have come to pass, but 3 other signs might be a while
before being fulfilled.
Looking
for a good book to study in a SMALL GROUP? Slaying
Your Giants is filled with interesting
stories and Biblical insights, and includes a free 20-Lesson Discussion Guide
in the back of the book.
The Sure
Cure for Worry proves that GOD IS IN CONTROL and you can trust Him to take care of the problem that worries you.
