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Originally Posted by KMK  Let's take the thief on the cross. He was 'saved'. Therefore he was justified and redeemed. He was 'infused with grace'. But can it be said that his salvation (because his converted life was cut short) included 'working out his own salvation with fear and trembling'? |
Of course the thief is a special case, but I dare say in his short life as a believer he was indeed fearful and being sanctified. He was fully aware that he had no hope but Jesus. He was given the strength to defend God's holiness against a mocker. He had the God-given courage to acknowledge proper justice against him and the humility to beg Christ to save him. I'd say he was more alive as he was dying than he had ever been before.