I must share this truth with you. Here was a man (the Thief) next to Jesus, who did no great thing with his life; yet God has had him touch the theology of so many with truth. His witness has resounded across the millennia, this nameless thief, who has taught more theology than possibly any other outside of those who themselves penned the Scriptures. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be thou saved. Trust that He is the Messiah and be saved. Know that there is a kingdom to come for Him and that you are saved for it and you will be with Him in Paradise the very moment that you leave this earth. Jp
And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” – Luke 23:43 This man whom Christ saved at last was a man …
We Look to the Living Saviour
salvation, Shared Articles with my Commentary

Each one of us is afforded circumstances and allotments from God and this man responded to that which he had been given and was blessed in his awesome response.
To one God gave 1 talent, to another 2 and yet to another 5 the measure of His giving corresponds to His expectation. I am thankful that if my allotment is 2 that He does not expect 5 which may be a generous thought 🙂
“According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.” Philippians 1:20
There is something deep in Paul’s estimation of our life here he likened it unto a race (referring to the Olympic games of the day) and stressed that truth to the people of God…
“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain” 1 Corinthians 9:24
His exhortation to us “So run, that ye may obtain” there was a concept that burned in Paul of “obtaining” and “apprehending” that is sore lacking in our day and one scripture that is one of the most profound phrases of the New Covenant:
Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ”
2 Thessalonians 2:14
If we see the silver thread that links there two scriptures together we begin to faintly feel the Call of God to so run in such a manner that we may obtain “the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” by the wonder of His grace impelling us with the desire and the unction to do so. It is here that we discover the enablement to:
“work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12
How we have lost the “fear and trembling” associated with our working His salvation out. May He visit us again by the Spirit of Grace that we may each run our race before Him with perseverance.
“…let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2
May we continually encourage one another to finish “the race set before us, looking unto Jesus…”
Blessings
Brian
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Well said brother Brian. We each are called upon to do our part. Thanks for the difference that you make in others. I too am blessed by your words.
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