Inquiry:
Can thieves go to heaven? Mark 15:27 and Luke 23:32-43 says yes, but 1 Corithians 6:9-10 says no. Is there a contradiction?
Response:
Indeed, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 gives a partial list of those who will not inherit the kingdom of God. Among the sins mentioned is theft. Thieves cannot go to heaven.
Of course, any and all sin is sufficient to keep us from heaven. Romans 6:23 says that “…the wages of sin is death…” In Romans 3:23, we are told that “…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” Fortunately, we can be forgiven of sin. Jesus gave Himself as a sacrifice for sin, so that we need not bear the guilt of sin into eternity.
If we’ve obeyed the gospel, our sins will be forgiven. We need to then walk in the way of Christ, not the former path of sin (Colossians 3:5-14).
Some in Corinth were guilty of theft at one time, but 1 Corinthians 6:11 says they were washed, sanctified and justified. They were forgiven.
The discussion Jesus had with the thief in Luke 23 shows the man knew who Jesus was. It is inferred that he repented. As such, though he had been a thief, he could go to heaven.
There is no contradiction
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