Prepare-for-War

had sowed. He deserved to be crucified under the Roman law. Now, just before Jesus died, He cried out, "It is finished." So, at the time of Christ's death, the sins of the one thief were paid for, right? Yes, they were. But, did the thief then die immediately with no more suffering? Let's look at the gospel of John.

"The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs." John 19:31-33

Obviously the thieves were still alive some hours after Jesus had died, and, what's more, had to endure the addi tional agony of having their legs broken by the soldiers so that they could no longer support themselves, thus causing their death by suffocation more quickly. If the thief who had been saved had also been saved from reaping what he had sown, why didn't Jesus take him to paradise immedi ately upon His own death? The answer is simple. Jesus paid the price for eternal salvation, but He did not negate the principle that we must reap what we sow. This is a very sobering principle which God's people like to forget. I talk with so many people who are in terrible situa tions because of their own life of sin. They frequently say to me, "I will serve God the rest of my life if only He will do ... " Isn't it enough that Jesus suffered so terribly for our salvation? What right do we have to place conditions on God? There can be no irs in our commitment to the Lord. We must be willing to serve Him regardless of our circumstances, whether the Lord chooses to improve our circumstances or not. Many will argue the following scripture: "For we know that all things work together for good to

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