A Day-by-day devotional

May 20, 2023

The good thief theology

Chronological One Year Bible Reading Plan: Proverbs 15-18

Scripture of the Day: Luke 23:39-43

For several times now, in a span of several months, I have been encountering a video about the salvific theology found in the Lucan narrative of Christ’s crucifixion. During the first time that I saw the video, my spirit was troubled. I have seen it again, and then for yet another time. Today, I once again saw the video and it produced the same troubling effect in my spirit.

On the outset, the theology it presents about salvation is not incorrect. However, if salvation is presented as such, the truth of the gospel becomes watered down.

The video opens with this statement: “No baptism, no communion, no confirmation, no speaking in tongues, no mission trip, no volunteerism, and no church clothes. He couldn’t even bend his knees to pray. He didn’t say the sinner’s prayer and among other things, he was a thief.”

It goes on to say other things but the main point that the video presents was that there is no other thing needed for salvation except to believe. The thief did not do anything else. He just believed and Jesus said to him, “Surely, today, you will be with me in paradise.”

It is not incorrect to say that for the thief, it took belief, i.e. faith, to be saved. That is true for everyone. However, to state that the thief did not do anything else, he just believed and got saved is a misdirection of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is a very misleading statement to say that the thief only believed and was saved. Of the many things stated in the video, the “He didn’t say the sinner’s prayer” part bothered me a great deal. The so-called sinner’s prayer is an acknowledgment of one’s sinfulness, a coming to repentance and bringing this before Christ who has the power to forgive and save.

Let us go back to the good thief’s narrative. In the account found in Matthew and Mark, which Luke did not report, both of the thieves hanging on each side of Jesus mocked him, together with the passers-by, the soldiers and other people present (Matthew 27:44, Mark 15:32). Only Luke gave a lengthier account, detailing that as one of the thieves mocked Jesus and hurled insults at him, the good thief rebuked him saying, “Do you not fear God? We are being punished because we have done wrong and are getting what we deserve. But this man did not do anything wrong.” (Luke 23:40-41). Then, turning to Jesus he said, “Remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Luke 23:42).

This thief did not only believe. He saw through Jesus and his heart was changed. He next acknowledged his sinfulness and asked Jesus to be his Savior. And Jesus gave him the assurance of salvation.

We have to remember that even Satan and his demons believe! (James 2:19). But they are not saved, because they have not repented and asked for forgiveness.

Think about a man who has done all sorts of unthinkable evil in his lifetime. He is now on his deathbed. As he is lying there, an account of his life flashed before his eyes. Then, he saw Jesus. Upon seeing Jesus for who He is, the man saw his sinfulness, acknowledged his sinfulness, repented, and asked God for forgiveness. Finally, with his new-found faith, he turns to Jesus for salvation. He got saved and passed on.

That is what happened to the good thief. The parable of the workers in the vineyard explains to us that no matter the length of time the workers toiled, they received the same salary (Matthew 20:1-16). Being saved in this lifetime earns us the gift of eternal life which starts upon believing and acknowledging your sinfulness, repenting and asking for forgiveness. To state that it only entails belief to earn one’s salvation is misleading. For sure, if the thief was spared from physical death, he would have joined the apostles in spreading the gospel, which happens to be the result of being saved. If you have been saved by Jesus, you wouldn’t keep it to yourself. You will tell about Him and bear much fruit in the Spirit.

Truly, the gospel is simple. It being simple means it need not be watered down. A diluted gospel is a false gospel!

Reflection: In this day and time where many fall in the trap of the “feel good and ‘consumer’-friendly gospel”, as Christians we have to be aware and watchful. We should rally in spreading the good news of salvation. However, we should always speak the truth – not leaving any truths out. Remember that one day, although we are saved in Christ, we would still stand before Him to give an account.

Prayer: Lord God, help me to be aware of guarding the truths of the gospel. May I be watchful to not let any ‘consumer’-friendly theology creep into my personal theology, affecting what I share to others. Amen.