Just like the Thief
Luke’s gospel records this conversation between the two criminals that were crucified with Jesus, and Jesus. Luke records,
“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!”
“But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?
We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’”
Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:39-43
The American evangelist Billy Graham once said,
On that day one of the criminals insulted Jesus and made it clear he didn’t believe who Jesus was. He demanded proof saying, “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!’”
On the other hand the other criminal said,
“Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?
We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’”
The second thief got to heaven.
The Bible makes it clear how we get to heaven,
The apostle John writes,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.” 1John 1:9-10.
Confession of our sin to God as the second criminal did is the one step in getting to heaven. However in order to do that one must first believe Jesus is who he says he is. The apostle Paul stating,
“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”
For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved Romans 10:9-13.
Thus the question comes down to who do you believe Jesus is?
Please think about it.
Luke’s gospel records this conversation between the two criminals that were crucified with Jesus, and Jesus. Luke records,
“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!”
“But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?
We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’”
Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:39-43
The American evangelist Billy Graham once said,
“I'm going to Heaven
just like the thief on the cross
who said in that last moment:
'Lord, remember me.”
Billy Graham.
On the day Jesus was crucified we have before us the choice that every individual needs to make.On that day one of the criminals insulted Jesus and made it clear he didn’t believe who Jesus was. He demanded proof saying, “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!’”
On the other hand the other criminal said,
“Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?
We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’”
The second thief got to heaven.
The Bible makes it clear how we get to heaven,
The apostle John writes,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.” 1John 1:9-10.
Confession of our sin to God as the second criminal did is the one step in getting to heaven. However in order to do that one must first believe Jesus is who he says he is. The apostle Paul stating,
“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”
For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved Romans 10:9-13.
Thus the question comes down to who do you believe Jesus is?
Please think about it.
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