Today you will be with me in Paradise.”
How does this align with the notion that it’s never too late for salvation?
One’s eternal destiny, either heaven or hell, is sealed upon one’s death on earth. If one is alive and still possesses the capacity to love Jesus Christ and confess Him as Lord and Savior of their life, they possess all that is necessary to be sealed unto salvation upon their final breath.
Jesus is God and God cannot lie! Jesus made salvation undeniably clear by the following simple-God-only-possible declaration:
John 6:37-40 37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39 This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. 40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”
The criminal on the cross next to Jesus some 2000 years ago is one of many, many witnesses to the words of Jesus.
The criminal believed Jesus was who He said He was, God the Son who came to give His life in death as a ransom to save His brothers and sisters. – Mark 10:45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
The criminal on that cross next to Jesus simply believed the Greatest Love Story Ever Told: The Innocent One [Jesus] died for the Guilty (you and me). The Guilty are forgiven of their sins so the Guilty would NOT die eternally separated from God in hell. Instead the forgiven-guilty will be taken to heaven to live forever in perfect love, joy and peace.
Romans 10:9-10 . . if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Luke 23:40-43 40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” 43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
Because the criminal had enough “life” remaining to accomplish declaring his love and belief in the Lord Jesus he gave back to Jesus, his Creator, all of himself. The criminal gave to Jesus ALL of his past sin and ALL of his future allegiance and hope to Jesus as he trusted Jesus to save him and take him to Jesus’ Kingdom in heaven.
The critical take-away-truth is this: You will NEVER be sorry for becoming a Christ-lover and Christ-follower. The moment of one’s new-spiritual-birth is the beginning of supernatural joy and peace. One never knows when we will breathe our last breath on earth. We need to come to Jesus TODAY while we still have life and strength to be able to do so.
We who love and follow Christ are clearly admonished by the example of the criminal, to NEVER quit declaring the truth, beauty and resurrection of Jesus Christ to ANYONE / EVERYONE who still has the ability to hear and respond to our words.
Thank you for your great question and reminder of God’s will for us who love Jesus: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Why do we pray without ceasing?
1 Peter 3:14-15 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.
We join in praying for you many opportunities to tell others of the truth, beauty and resurrection of Jesus Christ!
All our love for you and your family, In Christ –
Jon + Philis + Friends @ WasItForMe.com
