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The good thief has been held up as an example of [[hope]] for every sinner who finally repents ''in extremis'' at the moment of death after having lived an entire lifetime of sin. He had committed murder and participated in an insurrection against authority (Mark 15:7; Romans 13:1-4), and it may be reasonably assumed that during his career he had been frequently intoxicated. Like the adulteress brought to Jesus (John 8:3-11), he had been caught in the very act. He was arrested, imprisoned, tried, convicted, condemned, sentenced to die, and taken out to be executed. He doubtless had drunk the stupefying anesthetic blend of wine and myrrh customarily offered as a mercy to criminals condemned to the excruciating agony of death by [[crucifixion]]. Mark 15:22-23. (St. Paul clearly teaches that "the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God", and he includes "drunkards" among them. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. Paul himself was guilty of [[blasphemy]]. 1 Timothy 1:13-17. But the Bible also teaches that ''except for blasphemy against the Holy Spirit'' every other sin and blasphemy will be forgiven. Matthew 12:31.) While hanging on the cross, both he and his companion had blasphemed Jesus. Matthew 27:44. Then according to the account of the apostle Luke, who heard the eyewitness testimony of the apostle John, who stood with Mary the mother of Jesus by the cross and heard what was said, this thief afterward repented of the blasphemy he and his companion had both uttered against Him. Luke 1:1-2; John 19:25; Luke 23:39-41. He now had no opportunity to perform [[corporal and spiritual works of mercy]] "which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10; Philippians 2:12-13). His only good work was his repentance and believing in Jesus. Jesus forgave him. Luke 23:42-43. The example of the good thief and the testimony of other passages in the New Testament relating to long-delayed repentance at the point of death are given to sinners as the "sure and certain" reason for confident hope of [[salvation]] from [[hell]]. James 5:14-20; 1 John 5:14-17; Hebrews 6:19.

The good thief has been held up as an example of [[hope]] for every sinner who finally repents ''in extremis'' at the moment of death after having lived an entire lifetime of sin. He had committed murder and participated in an insurrection against authority (Mark 15:7; Romans 13:1-4), and it may be reasonably assumed that during his career he had been frequently intoxicated. Like the adulteress brought to Jesus (John 8:3-11), he had been caught in the very act. He was arrested, imprisoned, tried, convicted, condemned, sentenced to die, and taken out to be executed. He doubtless had drunk the stupefying anesthetic blend of wine and myrrh customarily offered as a mercy to criminals condemned to the excruciating agony of death by [[crucifixion]]. Mark 15:22-23. (St. Paul clearly teaches that "the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God", and he includes "drunkards" among them. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. Paul himself was guilty of [[blasphemy]]. 1 Timothy 1:13-17. But the Bible also teaches that ''except for blasphemy against the Holy Spirit'' every other sin and blasphemy will be forgiven. Matthew 12:31.) While hanging on the cross, both he and his companion had blasphemed Jesus. Matthew 27:44. Then according to the account of the apostle Luke, who heard the eyewitness testimony of the apostle John, who stood with Mary the mother of Jesus by the cross and heard what was said, this thief afterward repented of the blasphemy he and his companion had both uttered against Him. Luke 1:1-2; John 19:25; Luke 23:39-41. He now had no opportunity to perform [[corporal and spiritual works of mercy]] "which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10; Philippians 2:12-13). His only good work was his repentance and believing in Jesus. Jesus forgave him. Luke 23:42-43. The example of the good thief and the testimony of other passages in the New Testament relating to long-delayed repentance at the point of death are given to sinners as the "sure and certain" reason for confident hope of [[salvation]] from [[hell]]. James 5:14-20; 1 John 5:14-17; Hebrews 6:19.

[[Calvinism]] sees the good thief as an example of the Irresistable Grace of [[Predestination|Predestinate Election]]. See [[Eternal security (salvation)]] and [[Antinomianism]]. [[Arminianism]] sees him as an example of [[free will]].

[[Calvinism]] sees the good thief as an example of the Irresistible Grace of [[Predestination|Predestinate Election]]. See [[Eternal security (salvation)]] and [[Antinomianism]]. [[Arminianism]] sees him as an example of [[free will]].

Compare [[Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation]] and [[Anointing of the Sick]].

Compare [[Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation]] and [[Anointing of the Sick]].

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[[Category:New Testament]]

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