Salvation is a Decision.
When Jesus was put on the cross, He had a conversation with two thieves on crosses being crucified as well as Jesus. People that meet Jesus in His ministry made a simple decision, believe him or not to believe Him. Every confessed Christian has made that decision.
In these verses from the book of Luke there are two people that are going to decide about Jesus Christ. Let’s study these verses.
Luke 23:39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
a. The malefactor here is one of the thieves on the cross beside Jesus.
b. When it said railed on him, he means yelling at Jesus. He the thieve was making fun of this man being crucified with him. He wanted to mock him; he did not even consider this man could be the Son of God.
Luke 23:40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
a. The other thieve was trying to warn the other thieve that this is the Son of God, do you not fear God?
b. This thieve, rather or not he knew it, he spoke that this Jesus was the Son of God. He publicly declared this is Jesus the Messiah.
c. The first thing we do when we walk through the plan of Salvation is we recognize Jesus as the Son of God. That the first thing we do is say Jesus is the Son of God.
Luke 23:41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
a. The thieve continues to testify that he is a sinner and that he deserves the punishment that he is receiving. Part two of a plan of salvation is to admit we are sinners.
b. We must admit we are sinners to be saved. Non-Christians do not believe that they need to be saved.
Luke 23:42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
a. Again, the thieve did another step to Salvation. He asked Jesus to remember him, in short, asked Jesus into his heart.
b. When we take the plan of Salvation, this here is step three. We ask Jesus into our hearts. We ask to be with Jesus for all eternity.
c. This thieve decided to have Salvation, to be with Jesus.
Luke 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.
a. Jesus will say this to anyone that takes the steps to Salvation, Jesus will save all that are willing to believe and ask for forgiveness. These thieves will spend eternity in heaven with our Heavenly Father for all time.
b. The thieve that denied Christ was not saved.
