Does The Thief on The Cross Prove That We DON'T Need Works?? 

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My husband found Jesus weeks before he died. His PTSD from his time in military service was removed from him. The change in him was so awesome and sweet. I am so glad that he had a chance to experience the peace of Jesus for a few weeks before he died. He no longer lived in fear and condemnation. He passed into the presence of Jesus at home with me by his side. I look forward to seeing him in Heaven when I go from this world. Thank you for your words of affirmation. No there was no time for "works" other than putting my heart at ease that he is saved. It was awesome to see the Spirit change him. I am so thankful for a Triune God who is willing and able to dwell within us.

Thank you Matt for clearing a man's mind of some clouds. I have been a follower of Jesus Christ since 1975. I am 88 this year and still very active. I enjoy you messages. I have turned off most others some years ago keeping myself from being tossed to and fro.

You could even say that there is evidence that he was transformed. At the start he joins in on the mocking. Sometime later he rebukes the other thief and turns to Jesus. Sounds like evidence of transformation to me!

Very well said Bro.Matt. If we love God, we will keep His commandments. "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous."-1 John 5:3

Two things... 1.believers in the old testament were saved the same as in the new(by faith in Christ) 2. The thief on the cross fulfilled the same requirement as all believers... he confessed his sins and believed Jesus is God(Lord) we see that in his testimony.

Lets not forget Christ is the reader of hearts,so He already knew everything about the criminals intent. Secondly,the criminal that Christ saved,acknowledged/ confessed his sins luke23:40,41 then in verse 42 he showed faith and believed in who Christ was,by asking our Lord to remember him when He came into His Kingdom. So did the saved criminal do a *work* to be saved? John6:28,29 28Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” 29Jesus answered them, *This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent*

“BLESSED is that servant, whom his Lord When He comes Shall Find DOING.” ~ JESUS CHRIST ~ (St Matthew 24:46) ~~~ :)

What it all comes down to is that we are saved by Jesus by believing, not by works, so that thief was still saved! Thanks for sharing this, Matt! Blessings!

Amen, Amen! The thief confessed Jesus Christ as God! Works do not prove salvation but bold confession is evidence.

They both mocked in Matthew, but Luke shows that he repented afterward. I used to think they were contradicting accounts! They can easily be consolidated and it makes perfect sense to me now. Both accounts are true!

Thank You Lord Jesus 🙏🙌🤍

The thief recognised Christ was sinless. The thief recognised his own personal sin and tried to take responsibility for it. The Lord saw that and probably much more as God. The thief was definitely transformed. His precious witness to those around the cross must have made the mockers think, as it was an act of worship, love and respect. Our Lord responded with the assurance that He would be in paradise shortly along with the suffering thief. I doubt whether Christ would have extended such an invitation to an unrepentant sinner.

Amen! At the end you said the exact verse I was thinking about while watching this. If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 🙌🏽✝️🕊️

Amen, Praise God. Thank you for the insightful explanation, Matt. God bless you abundantly 🙏🏻🎉

Thankyou Matt, well explained . The thief had showed evidence of a repentant heart. As you say also there are people on their death beds who have no chance of doing anything other than trust in Gods mercy by repenting and believing, no time for works

As Matt said. The thief on the cross proves that true belief/acceptance in Jesus as Messiah is sufficient for salvation. But had he lived on, would the thief have continued in faith and growth? Evidently, Christ thought so. Notice the thief didn't pray the sinners prayer nor reportedly repent of his sins according to the written record, and was still accepted. It wasn't necessary to follow a scripted monologue. In fact at the very point of becoming a Christian, I did not repent of my past sins, nor did I pray the sinners prayer. I didn't know of such a thing, as I grew up secular and agnostic. The conversion in both the thief's life and in my own was absolute and it was real. It was accepted. The thief had no time to bear the fruit (sanctification) of his new life, but God has given me that time and had I not bore fruit I would be considered a dead branch. Dead branches are cut off, gathered and cast into the fire. I don't know how but after becoming a Christian, I started praying to God for santification and help to quit certain sins. I repented when I failed. Nobody taught me this, I cannot explain how I knew. I just did. So, is repentance needed in your walk, YES, do you need a scripted monologue to accept Jesus, NO. Do you need both of these at the point of conversion, NO. For those who continue life after the very point of conversion, growing santification is required and that will entail repentance, prayer and the fruit of being reborn.

I am guilty of missusing this verse to this day. thank you brother for the explaination. I am born again and feel my heart and ways are BEING transformed. its an incremental process that I suspect will never stop. God Bless you all on the narrow path

Hi Matt So true. Fantastically explained and very accurate. You are so knowledgeable. 🙏❤️

Great video. I agree with every word. We're saved by grace through faith unto good works. The works will appear like fruit: the natural, inevitable result of a living tree (or vine).

I avoid using the trigger word "works" instead use the concept of "fruit", as Jesus did and the epistles, only because of ongoing conflicts based on unclear definition and usage among people. This has saved me from entering this fiasco.

You said, "I do wonder if these people that say that transformation is not a necessary part of the born again experience is because these people haven't actually been born again and experienced that transformation." I completely agree. I've tried to speak to numerous individuals about this point, and it almost always seems to never get anywhere. The people who don't see it, I think never will. And I've come to the conclusion that it's very likely that many of those are not true believers, and if they're not true believers, they're still under the deception of Satan, which totally explains why they cannot see this issue for what it is. No matter how many times you explain it to them, they simply cannot see it, because they have eyes that are blinded by the Great Deceiver. I certainly hope that it's not the case, and they truly are born again. But I know from my own experience, in decades of professing to be a Christian when I never had a converted heart, and how after having that converted heart, how drastically different I see things, that it's likely all or most of them are in that same position I used to be in. I pray for all of them, that God would open their eyes to the truth.

Right on about this, Matt. I couldn't have stated it more clearly. Honestly I can't understand why there is anyone (especially those who have come to Christ in the past) that cannot clearly see this whole point that you raised on the matter.

I believe that there was a transformation in the one thief who asked Jesus to remember him, because Jesus (who can not lie) said that he would be with Him this day in paradise. ~ ! ❤ You make a great point about this was before Pentecost.

Thanks Matthew! Great explanation and discussion!

Just believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins was buried and rose again the 3rd day by which we are saved, 1 Corinthians 15 1-4kjv.

You are renewed in righteousness to do good works because the love of God is shed abroad in your heart during the new birth. It's as simple as that, but people stumble at the word, hence the confusion we see.

Hi Matt, thank you for this teaching. Would you be willing to do more bible teaching videos, I believe you really have the gift of teaching and look forward to your videos and learning from you. Thank you and God bless you 🙏✝️🙏

Thank you Matt!! Excellent video. Thank you for sharing the truth. God bless you🙏

⚠️ hello Matt. This type of video is far more productive than the "exposing of other Christians" videos. The problem is ourself, no one else. Wishing you a beautiful day💞

Repentance and Faith are a gift from God. Fruits of works are evidence ,but to think works are the cause of salvation is false.Regeneration precedes Faith,a supernatural event.

Salvation requires repentance. Sanctification..... the art or state of being holy, pure, requires works. To receive a blessing, you need to be one.🤗

What is interesting to me is that both, Mathew and Mark say that both of the thieves mock Jesus. And then when you come to Luke, that is where the one thieve rebukes the other one. You can see how the transformation is already taken place at the last moment.

I see a disconnect between what you preach (truth) and what others preach (OSAS) it is unhinged over the understanding between faith vs works. Being on both sides of the coin, I hear both of the messages being of the same coin. However you have a better understanding and narrowed it down to what must take place at the heart and I agree with you, it is sad that the OSAS can't pick up what you are laying down. All it takes is an open mind to just listen to both sides to see that you are both saying the same thing. Yet again you do a better job of defining the difference of being truly saved.

Matthew 27:43-44, says both thieves were reviling Jesus, initially; but the one thief recognized Him as LORD even on the cross! So there was a transformation, a change of heart. Also when you think of the countless people who on their deathbed have gotten hope from the story and faith of the thief on the cross, his witness still lives on. God is good and wise and these stories are divinely inspired for God knows what will touch the heart! When the thief is raised from the dead when Jesus comes he will be with Jesus where He is, for Jesus did not go directly to Paradise, John 20:16-17. Death will be but a sleep for those that believe! 1 Corinthians 15:20-23, says when they will rise again.

Some say that the thief on the right of Jesus did no good works, but how do we know he did not do any good things toward others in his life? Many who do not understand how salvation works, say that if their good works outweigh their bad ones, then they are okay in God's eyes. Salvation does not work like man's blind justice. To God our good works are as filthy rags, for we are saved not by our good works, but by God's work of salvation in our lives. Why did God save the thief on the right? He made a public confession of faith in Christ before witnesses. This parable shows an example of the position of all who are in Christ as opposed to the majority who hate God. Read Matthew 25:31-44.

Let us also remember that Jesus had the authority on earth to forgive sin, and at this time he was still alive when this happened. The criminal placed his faith in the only person who could grant his request because he still lived under the Law of Moses.

Can we possibly get over this "works" foolishness? Luther had in his head Roman Catholic "spiritual works" such as repetitive prayers, fasting, pilgrimage, Confession, Penance, and so on. If you feed the hungry, clothe the naked, comfort the weak, mow an old lady's lawn, etc., then God loves you, especially if you are in Christ. REST IN THE LORD!!!

I must ad… Jesus was the only one who knew the inside of the thief’s heart. And Jesus will know what’s inside the heart of everyone of us on judgment day

Further thought needed here. The thief on the cross may or may not have been baptized….We simply don’t know. And it follows that he may have been catechized as he knew about our Lord and Savior. Perhaps a fallen disciple…Again, we don’t know. Hard also to compare us to the thief who lived and died under the old covenant. The crucifixion was an absolute extreme circumstance and what was done for the thief may not necessarily a standard-setting example to all. Jesus forgave in a wide variety of examples aside from the event of the crucifixion. The good thief on the cross actually seems to have exhibited all the faith and works that he could, given his situation. The fact that his physical limitations made it impossible for him to do anything more than speak was certainly not lost on God. By his grace, God can save through (genuine) faith alone, of course, but it is a mistake to make an exceptional act into a theological rule-especially one that directly contradicts Scripture

I believe that too much emphasis is placed on a "work" being a visible, energy expending action or service when scripture simply uses the word "work" as an "us doing" action or a "response" of faith that can include anything from a profession(that Christ is Lord) to years of devoted service. In this case, the most this thief could "do" having had his limbs nailed to wood was to use his lips and declare his faith and hope in Jesus. Since works is a product of true saving faith (not the cause), his words are his works and the evidence of his faith. He was already sovereignly regenerated by the time he spoke (regeneration precedes faith). Also, this unique situation is descriptive not prescriptive.

As far as being saved by faith and not of works, Ephesians 2:8-10 is not the only place that this is spoken of. Starting with: Acts 2: 21, " 21And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ Where is the requirement of good works in this verse? Where does it talk about works saving us in these verses? Shows by believing and by faith we are saved - not of works or 'good' works. St. John 3: 5-8, " 5Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” Where does it talk about works saving us in these verses? Shows by believing and by faith we are saved - not of works or 'good' works. St. John 3:14-15 " 14Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” Where does it talk about works saving us in these verses? Shows by believing and by faith we are saved - not of works or 'good' works. Romans 3: 28-31, " 28For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. 29Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, 30since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. 31Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law. Where does it talk about works saving us in these verses? Shows by believing and by faith we are saved - not of works or 'good' works. Romans 10:10-13, " 9If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” 12For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile-the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Where does it talk about works saving us in these verses? Shows by believing and by faith we are saved - not of works or 'good' works. Romans 4: 1-15," What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? 2 If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about-but not before God. 3 What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”4 Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. 5 However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. 6 David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: 7 “Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.”[b] 9 Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness. 10 Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! 11 And he received circumcision as a sign, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. 12 And he is then also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised. 13 It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. 14 For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless, 15 because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression. Romans 5: 1-9, " Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. 6You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. Where does it talk about works saving us in these verses? Shows by believing and by faith we are saved - not of works or 'good' works. Romans 4: 1-15," What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? 2 If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about-but not before God. 3 What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”4 Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. 5 However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. 6 David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: 7 “Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.”[b] 9 Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness. 10 Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! 11 And he received circumcision as a sign, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. 12 And he is then also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised. 13 It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. 14 For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless, 15 because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression. Where does it talk about works saving us in these verses? Shows by believing and by faith we are saved - not of works or 'good' works.

The born again experience was not available before Jesus rose from the dead. The thief went to Abrahamas bosom.

There are two ways in the mind of a person right and wrong that's the thinking of a person.Almight God created us to choose from wrong to right so that thief was thinking right.The way to the Almighty God is to think right.The name of God which will be written on your forehead is right thinking When you are right with the Almighty God you will be righteous.A person who will be given the place of honor is the one who thinks right.

I think alot of christains get confused with what is the repentance is to be saved. First of all there has to be a conviction of sin which is prompted by the Holy Spirit, This is what happened with the theif, ( this leads to the Repentance) Secondly he must realise he cannot fixed the problem of fixing the situation by trying to be better, and that he is a condemned man. ( Which he recognised) And thirdly he reliizes that the only way out of this situation is to reach out to the only one who can save him in faith. ( Which he did) This is the repentance towards God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, that is the template for salvation.

I think we need a whole new perspective on works. There are works, but the worker is Jesus, not us. We are worked on, and worked through: which makes us His *workmanship*. (Eph 2:9-10). We work the works of God by believing in the One He sent - for God the Father has set His seal ON HIM (John 6:27-29). Another way to look at this is to answer the question, Was the thief ever baptized? Baptism symbolizes a reality that we are crucified with Christ, nevertheless we live. And who could say that more literally than the thief? "I am crucified with Christ." And having repented and confessed his sin, and called Jesus 'Lord,' he obtained mercy and the promise of eternal life with Him. We ought to use his story as an example of what baptism means. But here's the point, in regard to transformation: Peter said that baptism was the answer of a good conscience before God (1 Pet 3:21). So to me, that is direct evidence that an inner transformation had begun. I apply that to the thief as described above.

Thank you for this teaching! Powerful words! God bless you Matt and your loved ones in the Holy Name of Jesus Christ!✝️🙏❤️

I think it shows that God is omniscient, and omnipotent and He can do as He pleases as long as He does not do anything that is inappropriate to His nature as God.

Actually, if you read the account carefully and pay attention to the details of the account (Did I mention reading it carefully - paying attention to details?) and understand Jewish belief systems in the first century; - then the change in this one thief is louder than a bullhorn. Secondly, if you know the scripture, then you know that water baptism is a symbol that is an association with Christ in death. This thief happened to be dying right along & beside Christ. It looks to me like actually doing it is more powerful than the symbol itself. Furthermore the scripture says that if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead you shall be saved. We'll look at the thief's words: "Remember me when you come into your kingdom". In that one breath, the guy is acknowledging that Jesus is a king and he's going to be around after the crucifixion! And because we're reading about his statement over 2000 years after it happened, - I would say that it's pretty well recorded in the public record.

This has always, always, always confused me. I've read and studied the "thief on the cross" analogy and truly believe that faith and belief in the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ grants us salvation. Then, I come up against James 2:14-26 and things get jumbled up. Is it possible that walking the Christian walk involves both faith and works? Works not being a requirement to salvation but is a product of living by the fruits of the Spirit?

The thief had no chance to perform any however we do So no excuses!

Please read the whole comment before responding. I agree 100% of 50% percent of what you said. A transformation most definitely occurs. I don't know how anyone can say there is not one. But I completely disagree with a following of the Law is a Sign unto others of someone coming to Christ or Not.. How could that be a clear cut sign to other people that someone is saved? does not the sinner portray a form of righteousness in some form or another. Infact, someone who is Hiding there sin almost always hide it with doing what's right and or making it appear they are Good with complete need to let others THINK they are not Evil.. It Happens All the time, Everyone in Prison right now. There loved ones or people who knew them would tell you "I cant believe they could do something like that, they were so nice", "an outstanding member of society", some would even say "They went to church every Sunday and was the best person I ever met".. Sinners have the most to hide, so they have to be the most to act out what they are not.. We CANNOT base behavior on rather or not someone is saved or not.. Thats Just ridicules to think we can. Saul thought His persecution was righteous, he was Blameless in the Law. Yet in His attempt at being perfect in the Law, he was indeed breaking it because of His judgement.. Judging others who did not follow His understanding of the law, even to seek out and imprison those who He Himself Felt were Not following it.. Did not Even Jesus get accused of the Very Thing? By your understanding than Jesus (having worked on the Sabbath) was Actually breaking the Law, if the Law is to viewed Physically and with Carnal understanding. What form of transformation than can be seen in works of the Law, if your understanding of the Law is Physical, and Jesus himself broke this carnal understanding of it? By this understanding than Jesus Himself committed Sin according to the works of Law (At least a Physical understanding of it).. You are the One NOT seeing the Law for what it is. I have a whole video on the Law that explains Hebrews and Everywhere else the Law is seen in scripture. You have a Carnal understanding of the Law as SAUL did (and Most everyone does).. I don't really think you believe the things you say.. Not really. I bet, than once you think about what you say, MANY verses pop into your head on How you honestly Have NO explanation for. At least do not play into your Doctrine. It has too, because EVERUWHERE where the Law is explained (even the entire chapters that explain the Fulfillment of it and us no longer being under the Law).. Your doctrine falls short. If your doctrine does not HOLD UP to EVEN 1 Verse. Then your Doctrine is WRONG. How could Paul (being Perfect in the Law) Possibly SHOW to others of His Transformation by His Works of the Law After He was Converted?? Was He NOT Perfect in it already? He even then says It was All in vain once he received the Truth of Christ.. He actually Left His religious understanding of the Law, for the Truth of the Law found in Christ.. Your doctrine does not hold water. A transformation 100% must occur in the heart of the Person. AND it DOES.. But Physical Works of the Law Show us NOTHING of this at ALL.. in fact, because we now know the TRUE understanding of the Law, it will be seen to others as though we do NOT follow the Law. as it was thought of Jesus and Paul and Everyone else who religion of the Law persecuted. Your Understanding of the Law is Faulty, try again.

The thief on the cross obviously didn't have any more time to show the fruits of the Spirit, a changed life by turning from sin.

I believe the thief was saved under the old "forward-looking" covenant by faith. Baptism was not needed until after Jesus rose BECAUSE Rom 6 tells us that we are unified into Christ's death and resurrection through baptism. How could anyone be baptized into Jesus before he rose? The answer is no one. I believe that baptism signified acceptance of the covenant in Jesus which is why everyone did it immediately after believing even on the side of the road or the middle of the night. Just as physical circumcision signified acceptance of the Mosaic Covenant, spiritual circumcision through baptism (Col 2) signifies acceptance of the New Covenant in Jesus' blood. Baptism before the cross was John's baptism of repentance.

What about a man hour before his death before wanting nothing to do with A chaplain in his room die with raised hands praising The Lord Jesus? I was one of those chaplains at a veterans hospital. This 45 year old man would not allow any minister in his room. His sister was standing at his door. She was a Mormon. I gave her the gospel message the ask her to give her brother the same saving gospel message. She went right in. The next day is when she told me he'd died with his arms raised praising Jesus christ. He died of cancer that night with a new life with Christ. I have always questioned the validity of the death bed confession.

Think of the Law as a Marriage.. They used to say "until death do you part" When you get married you are bound to your wife and the wife to the Husband bound by Law. When the Husband/Wife dies they are NO LONGER under the Law, but the Law is still writen on their hearts out of Love.. Their was a Season in time were the Law was followed to the ushering in of Christ. Bound by Law. But He came and He died. And with it so did the covenant of the Law. The Law is Now written on our hearts as we follow in Spirit the Law in our faith to God. We Even though are not under the Law Follow what the Law represented Because of our Love for Him. We are gentiles bud, even when the Law was in effect, WE WERE NOT UNDER IT.. What makes you think we Must follow it Physically Today?? We are under Grace, The Law is Spiritual and followed in Spirit in the Likeness of WHO the LAW REPRESENTED (CHRIST). He was who the Law was and is.. He was ALL those things, He did all those things.. And We Follow in that likeness. But Following in it does NOT show sign of transformation, only a Love we either know and Have for Christ. But Anyone can and DO follow the Law EVEN NOT KNOWING Who Christ is.. They follow even in Darkness the Law, unaware of who it is the Law represents..

A change of heart! Thanks Matt!

Today,, you will be with me in paradise or I tell you today,, you will be with me in paradise...this is quite contested as Jesus doesn't ascend to be with the father for 3 days , so how can the thief be with Jesus the first day? Any thoughts?

Also, what the Bible considers works... is usually giving to the poor, helping the needy etc. Dorcas made coats.... this was "works". Baptism was a *command* by Jesus. Matt 28:19, John 3:5, Mark 16:16, Luke 24:47 leading to Acts 2:1-41.... emphasis on verse 38 & 41

One thing the thief did on the cross is what Jesus Christ kept on telling sinners to do during His ministry is to "Repent or likewise you will perish" and that is what he did on the cross he repented of his sin. That is the transformation that Jesus wants from all of us no matter what kind of situation we are in He will forgive us our sins with open arms when you show true repentance with a godly sorrow and a contrite heart. Many people especially those who believe in the doctrine of OSAS say that we do not need to repent and here this debunks their belief that to be saved it is not enough just to believe we must repent and that requires some form of work which is to transform ourselves. If this repented thief did not have done this he would not have been saved like the other thief. One worked for his salvation and the other one worked to lose it.

Matt what does “sealed unto the day of redemption” mean?

Amen and Amen

He did do works. He told the mocker to shut up and leave Jesus alone. Anyone who says otherwise is just plain wrong. He did show works, and confessed Jesus to be lord. Seeking EVIDENCE of works is EVIDENCE of a works based mindset.

Salvation is more than faith. Believing is just the first step to salvation. We must repent of our sinful lifestyles is the 2nd step, and the 3rd step is working in the church. We are not only sons of God, but we are servants called to produce fruits.

I believe the thief on the cross DID have transformation take place in his heart because ✝️ Luke 6:45 - ...for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. He made his confession of faith! 🥹

Hi Matt - when did you find Christ and what was your life like before?

My church is refusing to baptise me beacuse I am not assured of my salvation, is it right?

Galatians 2:18-19 King James Version 18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. 19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.

If it really does mean Fix me it sts to me he had an instant transformation in knowing he was a sinner and needed Jesus.To me that was a small transformation,a transformation none the less

THIEF ON THE CROSS - let's break down the interaction between Jesus and that thief: Luke 23:39-43 39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. 40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? ** - Acknowledged that He was in God's presence and that God should be feared. 41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. ** - Acknowledged the just penalty deserved for his sins (godly sorrow produces repentance) 42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. ** - Confessed Jesus is Lord and acknowledged Himas God who would enter into His kingdom. 43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise. ** - Jesus promises him eternal life as he received instant forgiveness of sin and redemption from the Saviour. This exchange is pretty much the biblical model of acknowledging one's sins, expressing godly sorrow and remorse (repentance), and then crying out to Jesus as your Lord and Saviour.

You are confusing the "transformation" though. The "transformation" is not something you do but it is a result of your faith. Can a person do good works and still not believe in God? Would this person receive salvation even if they never believe in God but gave to the poor, homeless, starving. No, We are saved by grace through faith. Paul makes it very clear in Ephesians 2:8-9 It is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast. Paul again makes it very clear in Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. Even in James 2:21 Abraham believed God and it was accredited to him as righteousness. Abrahams Faith is why he did what he did and his faith is what mattered

Be ye transformed by the renewing of your that ye may know that which is the good and acceptable WILL of God

I heard a Hebrew man say when he said Remember me meant FixMe.

This is 100% on point!

We don't need works (or baptism, or whatever) for salvation... that's the point. Believe (!) in Jesus Chist as your Saviour! (Yes! By hearing The Word we realise that we need The Saviour) After that (being born again) we can learn to follow the HS with Whom we are sealed from the moment that we are born again (both free gifts and biggest miracle ever🎉) We can being baptised; start doing the works the Lord had prepared for us by the power of The HS. The HS and The Word are also starting to convict us over our sins. Every time when that happens we need to repent and that makes that the proces of cleaning up the mess starts (by the power of The HS) No works for salvation 🎉 It was finnished at the cross. Sorry for my English... I am Dutch 😅

Should,.... if you know the Bible then you know we are " saved by grace and faith" ...not works...... Jesus did the suffering and dying FOR us. Our works come after, by way of the Holy Spirit . To God be the glory , in Jesus' mighty name, Amen and Amen.

Preachers who insist on evidence of faith are modern day Pharisees and miss what God calls 'good works'. The other extreme is to ignore morality altogether and take a person's words as evidence of faith like a modern day Sadducee. First a good work is an inspired and honest confession of the heart to God the Father recognizing the Word of God. Faith has been the same since the Garden of Eden, if you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth. When the words you speak in confession of Jesus is inspired, that is the evidence of faith. As Jesus said to Peter, what you confess from the heart is given by the Father. You can tell whose confession is from God and who are the fake followers - Even when Jesus was on earth, there were preachers of the word who were not followers of Jesus. His Disciples asked Jesus, should we stop them? Jesus said No, as long as they are preaching the truth. However, if they were preaching false doctrine, then they should be rebuked. And the rebuke should be from the heart and out of an attitude of Holy Love for them.

Romans 4:4-5 King James Version 4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

John 20:17 After 3 days of death a resurrected Jesus tells a female disciple NOT to touch him because he ...... *HAD NOT* yet ascended to the Father. So where did Jesus go the first day he died, and told the thief that day he will be WITH HIM in paradise? He *HAD NOT* ascended....so he did not go to heaven. So maybe paradise is a place of rest in death, like what Jesus said about Jairus' daughter... "she is not dead only asleep". A place of sleep.

Salvation does not equal sanctification

For getting saved, for being justified to spend eternity with the Lord: No, there is no work required and possible, because it is by grace that we are saved. But it is not our faith as we can see in Eph2:9 but a gift of God. If we call on the name of the Lord (Rom10:13) because we repent from our sins, which means that we understand that we failed completely, we are sincere sorry and understand what for us alone, there is no way out, then we are saved by His grace and receive "from glory to glory" aka step by step (2Cor3:18) faith and love and more of the Holy Spirit. And yes, Gods Holy Spirit in you, His love for His word (1Cor13) and His faith help you and want you to do works of love, which is "obeying his word". Thats what Abraham did. The "works" that were accounted him as righteous were not "getting up in the morning and riding the donkey to that mountain", also not "climbing up the mountain and putting stones on each other". Abrahams works was "obeying God" and that is the only works that exists in this sense. It can be preaching His gospel on the street and making disciples, being kind to one another, which is a form of unity in the body of Christ that Paul describes. But "getting saved" aka "getting justified" is only through the blood of Christ. A person that is completely paralyzed and can only move the eyes and hear but not even speak can be saved. 1 second before you die, you can be saved. You don't need "works". Otherwise Jesus sacrifice on the cross was "Lord, it is half finished!". It does not matter what good things you did or do, its only the fact that you sinned (violated the will of God) that set you apart from God and there is nothing that you can do in order to undo it. It is only God who can do it and He did it on the cross. But if somebody says: "I am saved" but then like televangelists fraud other peoples money, if you are drunk on the weekends and do fornication, if you lie for your benefits and if you show no signs of remorse, then you obviously did not repent, you obviously did not call on the name of the Lord from your heart and you are not saved because there is no way that you are saved aka being baptized in the Holy Spirit and still do that. And that is what James 2 is talking about. God can see into our hearts... He dont need James 2 "works" but we need to see it to understand if somebody is saved or not and we can see it by His works aka the works of God dwelling in him. For your sanctification aka becoming a strong pillar in a christian community good works aka "obeying Gods word and will" is of course fundamental.

I believe a transformation took place when he believe like all that believe they are born again n forgiven of all sin, otherwise he wouldn’t be going to paradise so the thief’s faith in Christ was enough to make him born again n his sins wiped away, so I don’t understand what you are getting at, unless you believe their has to be more evidence to be saved other than believing like the thief did

So theft (which is what a thief does), is never acknowledged as being corrected with a sacrifice *of any kind* it was always about *restitution* . This effectively means that according to the laws, no sacrifice, *jesus included* can fix theft. Therefore jesus could not die for a thief! Not that a 'human sacrifice' was ever mentioned in the OT as being part of the plan...

Ive said it before, I don’t think you understand the Free Grace position concerning the Gospel that saves, nor do I think you understand how discipleship & believing in Jesus (believing The Gospel) needs to be separated. Being Born again will result in a new birth from above and affections and outlook on life changes indeed. It happened to me 47 years ago but my discipleship walk after that (ie my transformation as you call it) that I allow, or submit to, after that isn’t what keeps me saved. Believing in Jesus (believing the Gospel) keeps me saved & on the way to heaven when I die. It’s not my discipleship walk that keeps me. How I vied my life before couldn’t save me and neither does my life after believing in Jesus keep me saved. My faith in Jesus keeps me saved. Salvation isn’t faith in Jesus + transformation = salvation Salvation is faith in Jesus + nothing = salvation. I don’t identify as any type of denomination or movement except to identify as a Born Again Christian who has undergone much renewing of my mind by the Word of God first many years. Free Grace position I understand & agree with. I understand what they’re talking about and I understand what your trying to do in your videos too, however, I do think you don’t understand what Free Grace people are saying that one must believe in in order to be saved. One is born again when they simply believe in Jesus because they’ve stopped trusting in anything else, they’ve stopped trusting in anyone else, they’ve stopped trusting in all other systems of religious activity, including trusting in themselves, to get the free gift of righteousness (justification) from God that ONLY trusting in Jesus can give you and they’ve trusted in Jesus to give them the gift of 100% righteousness. No amount of work (transformation as you call it) before or after trusting Jesus gives one 100% righteousness to get into heaven. You simply don’t have it. But yes after believing in Jesus we receive 100% righteousness from Him because only He has it to give when we exercise faith in Him, when we believe in Him. We are supposed to walk in that newness of life that the born again experience gives you. But hey, don’t rely on your walk in God after believing in Jesus ie trusting in your discipleship walk or trusting in the amount of transformation to believe you’re going to heaven for if you’re doing that you’ve got the wrong object of salvation. You need Jesus.

If you think Jesus Christ saving a man nailed to a cross is proof the rest of us don’t need works, you’re nuts.

Colossians 2:20-22 King James Version 20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not;

But he did have works, this man confessed, that this man Jesus, is the Son of God, before man... People living in the shadow of Rome do not understand Good Works are as much as confessing God before man, as handing a person a plate of food...! Go with God

No, the thief on the cross does not prove we don't need works today to be saved (James 2:24).

you are born again in spirit not from the flesh ,it can take time for a person to change.its not the person who changes him self its GOD who does that ,you can not change your self

It all comes down to the difference between can and should. By necessity if you are saying we must have good works to prove we're saved then yes the only logical conclusion ends up being we're saved by works. The guaranteed tranformation that happens when we believe the gospel is that God has transferred us out of the kingdom of darkness & into the kingdom of His son and were made alive in Christ He has quickened our spirit man...our old mind of corrupt flesh still is not transformed...thats a lifelong process that only ends when we receive our new glorified body. I'm not advocating intentionally continuing in sin whatsoever I'm just being realistic and agreeing with God's judgment concerning our fallen flesh in Genesis 6...reflected in Paul's statement that nothing good in him dwells... justification before God is only thru faith in what He has done in Jesus...its His righteousness not our supposed transformation...its erroneous to believe that we automatically have some change of affection in our entire being at salvation...of course that is ideal but the thing is just because we aren't committing the big sins or willful sins or continuing in sin does not mean we're being perfected in the flesh...and as I pointed out previously the self righteous religious lust to justify oneself b4 God is a sin also which many people overlook. Anyway I've found that the real fulcrum of understanding hinges on us considering ourselves de ad..crucified with Christ thru our baptism into His death...until a person sees themselves as dead then they will always try to add works to the justification equation. OSAS/free grace is the only true gos pel...but you do truly have to believe it for certain....the people critizing Gods free gift of grace & who believe a person can lose their salvation haven't got a clue what salvation and eternal life actually is...they treat salvation like a train ticket but it is Jesus Christ Himself!!!

Jesus knew that if given the chance to be taken down and allowed to live some time longer that this man would have done works for Jesus. Though also as I think of it did he not just do a deed for the faith for Jesus? He in a specific way Evangelised by professing that Jesus is of God.

yes and works will follow!

The proof is that Jesus accepted him. Jesus would surely know.

Good 👍. Very 🎉 good 😊!

Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:3-23)

Using the exception to disprove the rule is not logical.

All the thief that was literally dying on the cross was ABLE to do was to SPEAK evidence of his faith by WITNESSING IN DEFENSE of Jesus Christ, giving TESTIMONY about Jesus' Righteousness to the unbelieving evil-doer on the other cross. So are we also DAILY doing what we are individually ABLE (GIFTED/TALENTed) to DO for Jesus Christ, to glorify Him & His Father before men ‘BY THE WORD OF OUR TESTIMONY’ to others who need to hear the good news of God's Kingdom? Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Romans 2:6-7 Who will render to every man ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS: To them who by patient CONTINUANCE IN WELL DOING seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life. 2 Corinthians 6:1 We then, as WORKERS together with him, beseech you also that you receive NOT the grace of God IN VAIN. 1 Corinthians 3:8 Now he that plants and he that waters are one: and every man shall receive his OWN REWARD ACCORDING TO HIS OWN LABOUR. 2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may RECEIVE (REWARD FOR) THE THINGS DONE IN HIS BODY, ACCORDING TO THAT HE HAS DONE, whether it be good or bad. 1 Peter 1:17, 22 And if you call on the Father, who without respect of persons JUDGES ACCORDING TO EVERY MAN’S WORK, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: … 22 Seeing you have PURIFIED your souls in OBEYING the truth through the Spirit unto UNFEIGNED love of the brethren, see that you love one another with a PURE heart FERVENTLY. Revelation 3:2 "Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found YOUR WORKS perfect before God." Matthew 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall REWARD EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS WORKS. James 1:27 PURE religion and UNDEFILED (worship) before God and the Father is this, To visit (MERCY upon) the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to KEEP HIMSELF UNSPOTTED FROM THE WORLD. James 2:17, 26 Even so faith, if it have not works, is dead in itself. 26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, even so faith apart from works is dead. (James 4:3-17) Matthew 25:35-36,40-46 For I was hungry, and ye GAVE me to eat; I was thirsty, and ye GAVE me drink; I was a stranger, and ye TOOK ME IN; naked, and ye CLOTHED me; I was sick, and ye VISITED [MERCY upon] me; I was in prison, and ye CAME unto me. … 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as YE DID IT unto one of these my brethren, even these least, YE DID IT unto me. Matthew 25:15, 19, 29-30 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to each ACCORDING TO HIS SEVERAL ABILITY; and he went on his journey. 19 Now after a long time the lord of those servants came, and to make a RECKONING with them. 29 For unto every one that has shall be given (more), and he shall have abundance: but from him that has not [ FRUITAGE ], even that which he [imagines he] has shall be taken away. 30 And cast out the UNPROFITABLE servant into the outer darkness: there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth. Hebrews 12:14-17 Follow peace with all men, and HOLINESS, WITHOUT WHICH NO MAN SHALL SEE THE LORD: 15 Looking DILIGENTLY lest any man FAIL OF THE GRACE OF GOD; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; 16 Lest there be any fornicator, or PROFANE person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. 17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him (the devil) by the blood of the Lamb, and BY THE WORD OF THEIR TESTIMONY; and they loved not their lives unto the death. 1 Corinthians 9:16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for NECESSITY IS LAID UPON ME; YEA, WOE IS UNTO ME, IF I PREACH NOT THE GOSPEL! 2 Corinthians 4:13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and THEREFORE have I spoken; WE ALSO BELIEVE, AND THEREFORE SPEAK; Hebrews 13:15-16 Through him let us be offering up a SACRIFICE OF PRAISE CONTINUALLY unto God; That is a fruit of lips CONFESSING UNTO HIS NAME. 16 But of the DOING GOOD and of fellowship be not forgetful; For with such sacrifices as these is God well-pleased. Luke 12:8 And I say unto you, Every one who shall CONFESS ME BEFORE MEN, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God.

The thief on the cross might have done a lifetime of good works then gone off the rails and become a criminal it might have been his first offense he was sentenced to death for perhaps he killed sombody we don't know the Bible doesn't tell us anything about his background

Galatians 5 King James Version 5 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. 2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. 3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

Is it possible that you can do a video about water baptism and if its necessary to do it or just a personal choice! Im hearing different viewpoints about this.