Jesus came to save the world. The first human to receive this free gift of Salvation would be the thief hanging on his own cross right next to Jesus. At first this man insults Jesus too. But as he literally hangs there, watching what is going on and listening to the words of Jesus forgiving His tormentors, his heart breaks and opens up to the truth. He believes that Jesus is the King the Jews have been waiting for. And he confesses this much to all who would hear him. Then Jesus quickly responds, listen:
“Jesus answered him, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.’”
Lk 23:43 NIV
Today! What a fabulous promise! You see, we do not need to go somewhere and pay for our sins, as if we could. This is what Jesus is accomplishing with His sacrificial offering of His own life! We do not need to add anything to His work either. This thief could not come off his cross and go do good works, could he? No. Because of God’s Grace, Salvation requires Faith alone. When we truly believe that Jesus is our Savior and Lord, then just like this thief, we will confess it. There will be some kind of evidence in our lives because we already have Salvation, not to get it. I say again: what a fabulous promise! Let’s glory in this free gift today…and every day!
Join me in memorizing 52 verses this year:
January: 1- Jn 3:16; 2- 2Co 5:17; 3- Jas 2:26; 4- Eph 2:10
February: 5- Jn 10:10; 6- Ro 6:23; 7- Rev 21:4; 8- Php 4:13
March: 9- 1Pe 5:7; 10- Jn 8:32; 11- Dt 30:19; 12- Jn 3:30; 13- 2Chron 20:3
April: 14- 2Chron 20:12
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Holy Week break: Lk 23:34; Lk 23:43
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<>< Peace, Diane
