The Faith that Leads to Paradise

One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:39-43).

Many witnesses were confronted by Christ on the cross. Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit the gospel writers have provided a vivid picture of the crucifixion that still confronts us today. The Spirit moved Luke to record here the response of the two criminals that were executed along with Jesus. Both desperate men knew who Jesus was and believed He could deliver them from their common fate. But only one received forgiveness and the assurance of Paradise. What made the difference? There is a faith that saves… “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). When we receive God’s grace, profound saving faith becomes as simple as ‘ABC’. While both men believed in Jesus, only one expressed the faith that leads to Paradise.

God’s grace convicts us to Admit the truth about ourselves. One criminal “railed at Him”. The word means to defame, revile, or speak evil. He demanded that Jesus show His alleged power by freeing them all from their crosses. There was no remorse or repentance, only rude railing, and there was no response from Jesus. The other man acknowledged his sin with a public confession… “we are receiving the due reward of our deeds”. God’s grace frees us to respond to the convicting work of the Holy Spirit that we might be saved… “And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment” (John 16:8). His grace continues to work in us after we are saved to compel us on toward holiness… “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). As we grow in the faith, we are ever more convicted of the truth that we are sinners saved by grace.

God’s grace compels us to Believe the truth about Jesus Christ. One criminal demanded evidence about the claims of Christ. He wanted action that would personally and immediately benefit him. The other, humble man recognized and publicly affirmed the innocence of Jesus despite His sentence… “this man has done nothing wrong”. God’s grace reveals the real truth about who Jesus is… “But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone” (Hebrews 2:9). As we grow in the faith, God’s grace works in us to see and reflect His glory and mercy more clearly.

God’s grace causes us to Confess the truth before God and others. One criminal accused Jesus of being the Christ. He challenged Jesus to prove His claim. The other, repentant criminal confessed the messianic claims of Christ… “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom”. The word confess means to assent, acknowledge, or covenant with someone. We are reminded here of the promise Christ made to those who will publicly confess Him… “And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God” (Luke 12:8). God’s grace makes the connection between faith and confession in our salvation… “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved” (Romans 10:9-10). As we grow in the faith, God’s grace empowers our confession that Jesus is the Christ to grow with us.

As we grow up into Christ, God’s grace works in us to nurture and grow…

The Faith that Leads to Paradise.