Adventist Review Online | Cliff’s Edge–What Redeemed the Thief

May 17, 2019

If not saved by what saved the thief on the cross, I’m not saved. Period.

CLIFFORD GOLDSTEIN

I haven’t doubted, for decades now, the existence of God. Logic alone makes God’s existence certain. No thing created itself, which means that some thing uncreated, that which has always existed (i.e., God), must have started it all. In a futile attempt to evade this logic—or, perhaps, in a direct response to it—the twenty-first century myth that nothing, as in “absolutely nothing” (nothing needs no explanation; after all, it’s nothing) created the universe only reinforces the logical necessity of a Creator God.

Despite the dogma of atheists and their theist fellow travelers that random mutation and natural selection account for the stunning complexity, diversity, and functionality of life, nature at every level screams out to me about the God who carefully created everything, from quarks and electrons on up. Paul’s warning that from “what has been made” God’s existence is so apparent that humanity will be “without excuse” (Rom. 1:20) is, to me, frighteningly obvious. An apple, a pear, a pomegranate, the seeds of infinite generations snugly nestled within each, if not absolute proof in a formal sense (if A = B, and B = C, then A = C), nevertheless makes the truth of the Genesis creation account—“the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself” (Gen. 1:11)—such a reasonable explanation that disbelief seems folly, intellectual suicide even.

My certainty of God’s existence, however, leads to my dilemma: I know God, I know His love and the power of His providences. But I also know what He asks of me and just how often I fail. Having been born again 40 years ago this fall, far from achieving a perfect character I sometimes feel as if I’ve regressed, gotten worse, not better. Lord, why did You even bother to convert me, I have prayed, and in such a dramatic manner, too, if You knew all along that I was going to blow it?

I’m 63 years old. If in almost 40 years I haven’t come further along than I have, what’s going to radically change in whatever time is left me—especially because the older I get the harder it is for me to change as well (just ask my wife)? I believe the promise that “He who has began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6). I just don’t know what that completed work will look like, but if it’s the basis of my salvation then it’s a lost cause.

I dwell, often, on the thief on the cross. Though having been convicted about Jesus, the thief was turned away from Him by the rulers. Then, “seeking to stifle conviction, he had plunged deeper and deeper into sin”—pretty bad stuff. Nevertheless, when this man, who at first cursed Jesus (Mark 15:32), then by faith said to Him, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Luke 23:42), how did Jesus respond? Well, friend, I’d like to help, but “thou shalt not steal”? Or: Sorry, but stifling conviction by plunging into sin reveals a character unfit for heaven?Or: You shouldn’t have cursed me?

No. Jesus looked at this man, whose only relationship to God’s law was to break it, but instead of bringing up his law-breaking, his cursing, or his character defects, Jesus said to him: “You will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).

I’m not the thief on the cross. The particulars of his life are not the particulars of mine, not even close. But if I’m not saved by what saved him, I’m not saved. Period.

I know the voices that will oppose me here. I know the quotes (Scripture and Spirit of Prophecy) they use to attack my position. I also know the quotes (Scripture and Spirit of Prophecy) that I use to defend it. But I have no intention of arguing with them. If they’re redeemed by something other than what redeemed the thief on the cross, then they’re better Christians than I am, because only what redeemed him will redeem me.

If I’m wrong, then as certain as God exists, I’m also lost.

Clifford Goldstein is editor of the Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide. His latest book is Baptizing the Devil: Evolution and the Seduction of Christianity.