Daily Devotional for Sunday, December 29

Justified by Faith

"Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law;· Romans 3:28.

be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham;· Galatians 3:9.

I believe that every false religion that teaches works-based salvation can be easily refuted by one event in the Bible. This story is commonly called "the thief on the cross," recorded in Luke 23. Jesus hung on a cross between two criminals, which was a fulfillment of prophecy (Isaiah 53:12). One of the criminals blasphemed against Jesus by saying, "If thou be Christ, save thyself and us" (Luke 23:39). The other criminal recognized his own guilt-not just his guilt as a criminal, but his guilt before God. He also recognized who Jesus was and that He was an innocent man (verse 41). Because of this recognition and his repentant heart, this criminal said, "Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom" (verse 42).

The response of Jesus included some of themost beautiful words in the Scriptures. Jesus told this man, "Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise" (verse 43). I absolutely believe this malefactor was saved in that moment on across and is in Heaven today with his Savior.

Why is this story so important to disproving the lie of works-based salvation? We need to consider one extremely important detail. This man died on a cross. "Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him" (John 19:32). Breaking legs was done to accelerate death by asphyxiation, so those crucified would not be left hanging on their cross on the Sabbath. This man did not come down and go get baptized. He did not start attending church. He did not give to a charity or help his neighbors. In other words, he did not do anything we see taught by false teachers to get to Heaven. He simply believed Jesus as his Savior.

REFLECTION

The Bible does nottell us the thief's name, but it is recorded in the Lamb's Book of Life because he trusted Jesus.

Chris Floyd