Two Thieves, Part 2 of 2

Christ stooped to notice this sin-stained, condemned thief agonizing beside Him; the man opened his mouth in faith and confessed Christ. Jesus honored this confession of genuine faith by assuring the man: “Today you will be with Me in Paradise,” Luke 23:43. Consequently, this repudiates the doctrine of soul sleep, since Jesus told the thief plainly that today (that is, this very day) he would be with his Savior in Paradise; not unconscious in the grave until the resurrection.

Merry Christmas!

I wanted to take a little time to share with you the importance of the One who we celebrate on Christmas Day: Jesus Christ. Did you know that Jesus is the only Person in history whose being born into the world was foretold literally thousands of years in advance?

Two Thieves, Part 1 of 2

Both men were condemned and given over to death. Both hung on a cross much like our Lord’s and were facing a just punishment for their sins. Both, at first, derided Jesus along with the unruly mob that stood there to relish His agony; yet one thief perished in his sin and the other was saved. Why?

The Law of Love, Part 2 of 2

Yet even the believer who has nothing to show for his faith will be preserved by God, though all his works will be burned up before this judgment seat, 1st Corinthians 3:11-15. Paul realized that he could have his works burned before the judgment seat, if he was found to be disapproved in what he did, 1st Corinthians 9:24-27. Let all that we do be done in love, we are told. Love is the motivator that undergirds the Christian faith. First, it was God’s great love toward us, in that He sacrificed His own Son to redeem us, John 3:16-17; 1st John 4:19. Such love, we are told, should find a response in our hearts that purifies our walk, our works, our lives, 1st John 3:3.

The Law of Love, Part 1 of 2

During the Sermon on the Mount Jesus told His listeners, “Think not that I come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am come not to destroy but to fulfill,” Matthew 5:17. The law, of course, was the Jewish Law, the Mosaic Law given by God through Moses to Israel. Both the Law and prophets foretold of Christ, and in Him was their fulfillment found.