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~Wisdom From the Word~
Colossians 3:16-17
“Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom…”
by: Pastor Dennis Dodson
Vice President/ Treasurer
Seeds of Faith, Inc., A Non-Profit Ministry
The Gospels give us many details about the death, burial, and resurrection of
Jesus Christ. We like to think that we earn our position in the Kingdom by our
good works, but this is not so. It is by grace, through faith that we enter the
Kingdom. We can look at the example of the two thieves crucified with Jesus.
These two men represent us all. Let me explain.
There are certain simple truths we can’t overlook. Both men were thieves.
Stealing is wrong. So, both men were sinners. We all have sinned and come short
of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Both men were condemned to die for their sins.
They earned something by their wicked works. The punishment was the same for
each one, death (Romans 6:23). They were both eternally doomed until Jesus
showed up that day. He offers us a free gift. That gift is called Grace.
Jesus shows up and is immediately recognized. One thief understands He
has been declared to be the Son of God. If this is true, Jesus should let himself and
this thief down off the cross. He doesn’t accept Jesus for being the Son of God. He
doesn’t confess his sinfulness. He only wants to escape the punishment of his sin.
Many people fall into this category.
The other thief, corrects the first, saying that this man is innocent. We
deserve our punishment, but Jesus is sinless. This man confesses his own sin. He
confesses the righteousness of Christ. He believes Jesus is who He claims to be.
Being the Son of God, Jesus has the power to save. This man has faith. Nothing more,
and this man went to Paradise with Jesus upon his death.
All of us will fall into one of these two categories. We will know who Jesus
is and refuse to believe in His name, or we will, in faith, believe in Him and that
He is able to save us. Every man will approach the cross and go the way of belief
or unbelief. Which way will you go?
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