Condemned Criminals
Or
Bold Confessors Of Christ
Sunday July 16, 2023
Scripture To Consider:
“Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Jesus, saying, ‘If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.’ But the other answering, rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.’”
“Then he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.’” Luke 23.39-43
Something To Consider:
All of humankind, every man, woman, and child, is depicted by one or another of the two criminals that were crucified with Jesus. To begin with, they were both condemned to die by the law. For these two criminals, it was the law of society that they had violated, and it was the same law that had condemned them.
Spiritually speaking, the apostle Paul wrote in Romans 3.23, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Paul was able to state that spiritual truth because he himself had attempted to keep the law of God by fleshly man made methods without success.
Paul realized that the law of God was given to point the human race to the Son of God, Jesus of Nazareth, and in the direction of the cross of Calvary. For it was there and there alone that spiritual criminals could come for cleansing and forgiveness.
Jesus announced in Mark 11.25; “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him [or her], that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.” He continued in verse 26 by warning, “But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”
Something Else To Consider:
It appears that the one rebellious criminal remained an unforgiven rebel even unto the end of his God rejecting life. The other criminal was as David the song writing king of Israel, when Nathan the prophet exposed David’s sinful relationship with Bathsheba, who was another man’s wife.
In Psalm 51 David cried out for God’s mercy through repentance as he declared, “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your loving kindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.”
The one repentant criminal was as David in understanding his own need for forgiveness. He acknowledged that they both were receiving their just reward for their deeds, but included that this Man Jesus had done nothing wrong. He went from being a condemned criminal to being a bold confessor of the innocence of Jesus Christ.
What about us as we stand before an Almighty God? Will we be as condemned criminals or as bold confessors of Christ and His righteousness? The answer will determine our eternal destination!
What about us as we may be found standing before the Antichrist or his beastly one world religious and political puppets demanding our allegiance or else? Will we be condemned to death at worst or denied access to societal benefits at best? Or will we confess Christ? The time for obedience to be revealed and maintained is now!
Something More To Consider:
This one bold confessor of Christ made the leap of faith by believing in his heart. He is a perfect example of what Paul described in Romans 10.10-11, “For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, ‘Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.’”
Paul quoted Isaiah 28.16 which is proof that this onetime criminal now turned bold confessor, had passed from shame to salvation. Therefore, the ultimate question front and center on the monitor of our minds, should be; “Which criminal am I?”
Which of these two men dying because of their sins against society, are we most likely to resemble? According to the apostle Paul and Romans 6.23, we have a choice to make, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Let us choose wisely!
Therefore, let us fulfill the admonition of Proverbs 2.2, by inclining our ears unto wisdom, and applying our hearts to understanding. Let us be found studying the Word of God in order to show ourselves approved unto God and not unto men or any organized so-called religious institution.
I often pray for myself and others the words of Paul as he wrote in Colossians 3.16. “Let the words of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” This Scripture has been written on the front cover of my praise and worship song book. And it needs to be spiritually written upon the tablets of our hearts as true believers in Christ Jesus.
A Few Final Words:
Paul also proclaimed in verse 17 of Colossians chapter 3; “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Do we do whatever we do in the name of Jesus our Lord? Do we give thanks to God as often as we should for what He empowered His Son to accomplish for us? And if not, why not? Time is running out!
Bold confessors of Christ are those who have allowed the words of Christ to dwell richly in them and who have helped in the process of allowing the words of Christ to dwell richly in others. That is precisely why we maintain this website, According to Jesus, and why these Lessons of a Lifetime are posted every Sunday morning. Therefore, let us grow in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ through the study of His Word.
Spiritually condemned criminals, of which we all are, will face one of the two verdicts; spiritual death eternally without Christ, or new life in Christ for all eternity, which can begin today! And according to Jesus, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
Prayer:
Our Father in heaven, as condemned spiritual criminals, teach us to become bold confessors of Jesus Christ through His forgiveness of our sin. Help us Father to experience the love and forgiveness of God that can only be found in Jesus Christ, the living and truth filled Word of God, come in the flesh. In Him Always, Amen!
According to Jesus 