“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34
Today the thief is in heaven and the reason is not that he was without sin or that he lived a good enough life. The thief is in heaven because Jesus paid the price for his sin and gave him eternal life. What Jesus did for the thief, He is able to do for you.
But remember, there were two thieves, and while one was saved, the other was lost. Both of them had the same need and the same opportunity. Both of them were next to Jesus. Both of them heard Him pray, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
Now think about the difference between them: While one turned to Jesus in repentance and faith, the other remained at a distance. You may be thinking, I don’t want to make a commitment right now. I’ll think about this later.
If you make that choice, one of two things will happen: Either you will come to repentance and then wish you had come earlier, or your heart will harden toward Jesus, and you will never come to Him at all. So come to Jesus in faith and repentance now.
Or maybe you fear that it is too late for you to turn to Him. Remember the thief on the cross. It was not too late for him, and it is not too late for you. The time for you to turn to Jesus, ask of Jesus, and trust in Jesus is now. Early is better than late, but better late than never.
Lord, I confess that I am a sinner and that I do not deserve to enter your heaven. But I believe that you died on the cross for me, so I ask that you remember me and bring me into your kingdom. I trust your promise that those who come to you will never be cast out.
