The Problem of the Thief

40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. ” 43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” -- Luke 23:40-43

"What must we do to get saved?" "What does God require of us?" We've all asked those questions. The Witnesses have pamphlets and books on the matter... repent, get baptized, be obedient, produce fruits of the spirit, on and on and on. Christendom isn't all that different, although less legalistic.

And I agree to a point. Repentance is vital, turning your life around and dedicating it to God and Christ. Living a Christian life is the most important (and best) part of being a Christian.

But the Witnesses (and to some extent, the rest of Christendom) make it out to be very formulaic, very narrow, and while Jesus did indicate that the road was narrow and the gate cramped, look at what happened in the above verses. All the thief did, hanging on a cross, was recognize Jesus' kingship and kingdom. He asked to be remembered. And how did Jesus respond? See for yourself.

It's entirely likely that this thief was the first man to die a Christian. And all he did was acknowledge Jesus as king. He hadn't been with the apostles, he didn't know all the truths that Jesus revealed to them. He wasn't around for the resurrection, for Paul's ministry, for the fruits of the spirit. He wasn't baptized, didn't receive the holy spirit, didn't do anything we normally associate with being a Christian. He may have dedicated his life to Christ, but he had a bare few hours left, and those were spent in agony at that. It's not as if he went on to give great speeches, write letters to churches, or spread the Gospel.

But yet here we have his example, his utterance and Jesus' response. Christianity, salvation, is really that simple.

Some might argue that, hey, it was Jesus, he could do what he wanted, and this guy was a one-off exception. But that can't be true; Salvation can't be handed out on a case-by-case basis. The sacrifice of Jesus gives power to save, but Jesus himself couldn't tap someone on the head with a magic wand and guarantee them salvation. God's plan of salvation is God's plan of salvation, and there are no exceptions.

I'd never argue that Christianity isn't about baptism, and fruits of the spirit, and all the other stuff that Paul wrote about. But that's after you've been saved, not a condition of salvation. Paul wrote to Christians, to his brothers in Christ, and although he had to council them many times, they were still his brothers and sisters. They were still fellow believers. So while living the Christian life can be more complex, salvation is simple: Believe in Jesus as redeemer and king. Then live your life accordingly, as one who has been saved, not as one working towards salvation.