Quote:
Originally Posted by AreYouReady?
Good topic.
While I cannot speak for God, I can meditate on what Jesus told the thief on the cross.
39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
( Luke 23:39-43)
The thief on the cross merely asked Jesus to remember him after he told the other one that Christ did nothing wrong to deserve such a death. Jesus showed great mercy to the thief. |
It can be argued that the thief died prior to Christ's death and resurrection, therefore couldn't believe in it, and was technically repenting under the Dispensation of the Law of Moses. So I don't see it as being a prooftext illustrating that anyone can repent on their deathbed and be saved.
However, Jesus uses His absolute authority to forgive the man of his sins. The Scriptures indicate that we too carry such authority. If a man full of the Holy Ghost and Apostolic authority to administer the remission of sins were to pray with the sick and dying at their request... I believe that praying the prayer of faith just might save the sick as the NT Scripture states.
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Clarke's Commentary on the Bible:
"And the prayer of faith; shall save the sick - That is, God will often make these the means of a sick man's recovery; but there often are cases where faith and prayer are both ineffectual, because God sees it will be prejudicial to the patient's salvation to be restored; and therefore all faith and prayer on such occasions should be exerted on this ground: "If it be most for thy glory, and the eternal good of this man's soul, let him be restored; if otherwise, Lord, pardon, purify him, and take him to thy glory."