#187712
Oh, sorry I didn't read enough of the posts in this thread to get that. I really need to stay off of this forum because I don't have the time to read all the posts let alone type out responses. Then when I do type responses they don't make sense because I didn't read all the posts. Lol, that's why I just post things that I want to share on the Biblical
Christianity Forum . The intent of that forum is not for debate.
I believe that the thief on the cross was saved because he said a powerful short sinner's prayer which came from his heart. I know some don't believe in a sinner's prayer, but I do. It's not a magic prayer as some would believe. I would agree that those who just repeat a heartless sinner's prayer do not get true salvation. It must sincerely come from the heart. It must be a time of truly receiving Christ and believing in Him. I believe the sinner's prayer is referred to in the Bible as calling on the name of the Lord. The Bible states that all who call on the name of the Lord will be saved. Who in their right mind would receive Christ and not talk to Him? Some consider it too much work to be part of salvation. This is over analyzing. Breathing, thinking and listening can be work too if we want to over analyze those things. As I go about my day I talk to the Lord while I am working, playing or whatever else I am doing. I don't consider this work any more than I consider greeting a friend, that I meet during my day, work. However, when I set aside a time of prayer, especially if it is a lengthy time, I do consider that work. It can be challenging to keep my nose to the grind stone sometimes depending on how things are going with the prayer. That is work for me. The Bible says in John that eternal life is knowing Christ. We can't get to know Christ if we don't talk to Him. Eternal life is having an intimate relationship with Christ. The Bible says He turned some away because He said He never knew them. In other words, those people never developed an intimacy with Christ. How can anyone develop intimacy with someone they do not talk to? How can someone really be saved if they do not pray? I do not believe we are saved by works, but if we really got saved we will pray and develop intimacy with Christ after our initial salvation experience. This is what a new creature in Christ does.
The thief on the cross called on the name of the Lord when he asked Christ to remember him. He was talking to Jesus. That is prayer. It was a sinner's prayer. The thief knew the gospel and responded to it appropriately.