September 4, 2026 · David Farmer
What About...
“Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.” One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.””
Luke 23:32-43 →
## The Thief on the Cross
A seemingly small part to play in the Gospels, this “thief on the cross” has done more to dictate, and simplify, the doctrine of salvation than one may think; more than most preachers or seminary professors. How did he do it?! He did nothing! He did nothing, no act, no good deed, no nothing...but he was saved! The Philippian jailer (Acts 16:30-31) asked Paul, “What must I do to be saved?” Paul instructed him to believe in the Lord Jesus, and he would be saved. Maybe the fact that he was baptized 2 verses later confuses the whole thing for some people, but Paul didn’t include baptism within the salvation criteria. Some denominations have included baptism in the requirements to go to heaven. Some types of Christianity have replaced the believing of the heart with the washing of the body; as if baptism itself equals salvation.
Then somebody says, “What about the thief on the cross?” Some denominations have included tithing/giving, serving, speaking in tongues, women wearing skirts/dresses/the right clothes, and a plethora of foreign ideas within salvation’s requirements. But someone please say it! “What about the thief on the cross?” He didn’t get baptized. He didn’t tithe. He didn’t speak in tongues. He didn’t wear the right clothes. He didn’t help on a Saturday morning church work day or even play a guitar and lead a congregation in a worship song. None of these equal salvation! None of these aid salvation! Somewhere along the line, he came to understand Salvation is in Jesus, not in ourselves.
## Self-Check
I’ve said it just recently, but I’ll say it again. It is always the juxtaposed dichotomy in the Bible to lift up praise, honor, or glory for man or God. All of salvation’s business is in God’s hand. What must I do to achieve salvation? I can do nothing. I can only believe in God and what He says. And no matter what someone may try to add to salvation... “What about the thief on the cross?”
## Knowledge is Forgiveness