Comment from LIJ Red

Excellent

Let's see what we can find out here...the good thief's name was Dismas,
and he was one of a robber band who gave aid to Mary, Joseph and the Baby on the wilderness road to Egypt. He was not an ordinary cutpurse,
who would have been flogged and sold into slavery for his crimes, but a
leader of a gang, hence he was crucified as a rebel against the Empire,
just as Jesus was(The King Of The Jews was his sentence.) Maybe I read too much. A crucial bit of scripture, and an excellent dissertation.

 Comment Written 22-Jan-2016

---

reply by the author on 22-Jan-2016

Maybe you don't read enough (bible) and you write too much (when you add to scripture). Tongue in cheek reply, Red, as I'm pretty sure yours was....thanks for reading and commenting. Dennis

reply by LIJ Red on 22-Jan-2016

Just repeating stories from pseudepigraphical and apocryphal writings not admitted to the canon back in the fourth century...

reply by the author on 22-Jan-2016

and they were excluded for good reasons

Comment from CDyer

Excellent

Yes! Thank you for sharing that! I always said if I had to be trapped in isolation with only part of any book, it would be the chapter of Luke. I also used to think that because Christ said, "On this day , , , " it meant we went to Heaven immediately upon death. I have studied other verses and prophesy that seem to contradict, but it doesn't matter when, as I long as I have the confidence I am! Please keep sharing. Blessings!

 Comment Written 22-Jan-2016

---

reply by the author on 22-Jan-2016

Thank you...it might help to remember Christ said this about His death and Resurrection: Matthew 12:40: "For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."
After Christ died, He went to "the bosom of Abraham" to announce the victory of the cross to the OT Saints. This is another name for Paradise where everyone went who died in faith in Christ, before Christ died on the cross. They were waiting for Christ to lead them into Heaven, because in everything, as the Son of God, He has the preeminence!

The thief on the cross accompanied Christ there, just as Jesus said..."this day, you will be with Me in Paradise."
Now, today, when a believer dies, it's "absent from the body, present with the Lord."

Here's the passage regarding Abraham and Paradise: it is not a parable.

Luke 16:19: ?There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man?s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.

22 ?The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham?s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, ?Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.?

25 ?But Abraham replied, ?Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.?

27 ?He answered, ?Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.?

29 ?Abraham replied, ?They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.?

30 ??No, father Abraham,? he said, ?but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.?

31 ?He said to him, ?If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.?? God bless you, Dennis

Comment from isurp

Excellent

I was drawn in by the title, "A Bible Story the Devil Hates" but was slightly disappointed by a 10 point sermon in Christianese. Your writing is very solid and well reasoned. I'm sure that fellow Christians will love this story but I'm still unclear on why the Devil hates it. Point #2 clarification: Was it the blood of Jesus or his life that was necessary as payment? Thank you for sharing! Be well. -Steve

 Comment Written 22-Jan-2016

---

reply by the author on 22-Jan-2016

"Was it the blood of Jesus or his life that was necessary as payment?" Scripture says "the life of the flesh is in the blood" so to some extent, both are the same. Scripture also says, " Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin." The animal sacrifices offered prior to Christ's sacrifice were "innocent" and used to point to the one great and final sacrifice, the offering of the innocent blood of the Lamb of God, the only man ever born sinless (Adam was created) and who lived entirely free from sin. He was "tempted in every point" like every man but never sinned in thought word or deed.

The Devil hates this story because it glorifies the Son of God and points to simple trust in Christ's sacrifice as the one sure fire way of salvation. Satan, via religion, is always trying to add a price tag to what God is offering freely through faith to the weakest sinner. Jesus paid it all.

One last note; I am very familiar with the term "Christianese" and what it means. I would appeal to you to think this term through and what those who use it in a disdainful manner are attempting to do. They want to "dumb down" Christianity so that sinners will understand it. Good motive, but it simply doesn't work. Think about it...what other discipline would one learn by insisting on changing the terms used in teaching it? Bible terms should be learned and not tampered with. The entry level (believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved) is already made simple enough that all can understand it. Changing the rudimentary terms keeps Christians from growing deeper in their knowledge of God's word and hence, hampers true spiritual growth. Thanks for writing and commenting, Dennis

Comment from P1

Excellent

this piece is very well written, presented
and researched. you have put a lot of work
into it and it reads well and gives plenty
to think about. pleasure to read and review
your words

 Comment Written 22-Jan-2016

---

reply by the author on 22-Jan-2016

Thank you and God bless you, Dennis

Comment from DonandVicki

Excellent

I enjoyed your essay and I always love to read Christian works. The work is well researched and the points you make about a loving God are so well stated. I enjoyed reading your work very much.

 Comment Written 22-Jan-2016

---

reply by the author on 22-Jan-2016

Thank you for your kind and encouraging words, Dennis

reply by DonandVicki on 22-Jan-2016

You are very welcome

Comment from flylikeaneagle

Excellent

Deniz22: thank you for witnessing about Jesus! I'm sure that you remember presenting this sermon. Eternal life is an easy decision and people need to study the word. I'm writing out scriptures and the book of John in a journal. The deviiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii butt will be kicked. Jesus! Vicoroiiiiiiiiiiifor flylikeaneagl

 Comment Written 21-Jan-2016

---

reply by the author on 22-Jan-2016

"I'm writing out scriptures and the book of John in a journal" Wonderful! You might want to check out the Pocket Testament League which offers a "21 Day Challenge". Readers are encouraged to read a chapter a day in John and answer three questions in their journal. Several of us did it and found it very worthwhile. God bless and thank you, Dennis

Comment from writeapoem

Excellent

A very good prose from the Holy Scripture to point sinners to the Lamb of God. And show that the devil is a power to be reckoned with. He is like a lion a beast going about to devour. All the best and God Bless

 Comment Written 21-Jan-2016

---

reply by the author on 22-Jan-2016

Thank you very kindly for reading and commenting. I agree with your observations re the Devil. :) Dennis

reply by writeapoem on 22-Jan-2016

Your very welcome and it appears we are on the same page.

Comment from c_lucas

Excellent

Is it okay to used one position to teach his belief. Would any of the other "isms" enjoy the same rights? Would we receive another's foreign belief? This is very well written.

 Comment Written 21-Jan-2016

---

reply by the author on 22-Jan-2016

In my view, it's Christ alone who has the words of life eternal. He Himself claimed this...who am I to go against what He said? Let everyone make their choice, but having made mine, by His grace, I feel no need to promote other beliefs.

Thanks for writing and commenting, Dennis

Comment from teols2016

Excellent

This is an interesting perspective. You bring up notions many have considered and explored them much more thoroughly. Furthermore, you have shown a sense of acceptance to everyone, even those not of the same church, a concept seriously lacking these days.. Finally, your writing is coherent, organized, and, as far as I can see, free of typos and errors. Good job.

 Comment Written 21-Jan-2016

---

reply by the author on 22-Jan-2016

Thank you...as someone has said, "The ground is level at the foot of the cross, and all people of every condition are invited to trust Christ." God bless, Dennis

Comment from Ben Colder

Excellent

Worthy of seven stars. I must give my all- 5 I have. I pray this reaches the ears of the agnostic and turns the hearts of man with hunger. Blessings, Bro. Well done.

 Comment Written 21-Jan-2016

---

reply by the author on 21-Jan-2016

Thank you my dear brother, for your encouraging words! Dennis