Luke 23:41 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 you come into thy kingdom. 43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.
The thief on the cross who said “Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom” did not have a chance to do the things that most of us as sinners are required to do, to complete the process of repentance. He wasn’t baptized, he did not keep the Sabbath, and he didn’t have a chance to return fourfold, for the things he shoplifted and stole during his entire lifetime.
Yet, God who reads the purposes and motives of the heart, gave him a free pass through the pearly gates because, by the words the thief spoke, it becomes obvious that he would’ve fulfilled all requirements if he had the opportunity to. Thus, by his own words he will be justified, while the other bandit who died next to Christ will be condemned by his words too.
William Miller, Calvin, Martin Luther, John Knox, and most of the martyrs who died during the dark ages, never kept the Sabbath, because the light of truth on the matter had not yet dawned upon their own minds. But God who sees not as man sees will usher them into life eternal because their purposes and motives were always to serve God to the very best of their knowledge and ability.
Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!