“And he said to him, ‘Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.’” – Luke 23:43
As Jesus was dying on the cross, a man beside him was saved. Not from physical death but from spiritual death. His sins were forgiven, He was given new life in Jesus Christ, and paradise was his eternal destination and home. What did this man do to be saved? Absolutely nothing!
He didn’t take a single class. He didn’t do a single good deed. He wasn’t baptized. He, too, was nailed to a cross and dying. He couldn’t do anything other than suffer and die. He did nothing to earn paradise. He simply believed that Jesus truly was the King of a new and eternal Kingdom, His Lord, and His Savior.
He isn’t unique. You, too, can do nothing to earn or accomplish your salvation. In our human weakness, foolishness, selfishness, and sinfulness we can’t ever do anything to earn God’s forgiveness. Thankfully, Jesus already did everything required for our salvation on that cross. There He died as a sinless sacrifice to pay the penalty for your sins. Three days later, He rose from the dead, His sacrifice accepted and sufficient for your salvation. Like that thief on the cross beside Him, all you need to do to be saved is to believe in Jesus. “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
Of course, once you’re saved, if you aren’t actually dying in that moment, then Jesus has called you to live like the new creation you are. You are to worship, grow in holiness and your knowledge of Jesus and His commandments. You are to live in imitation and obedience to Him and in devoted service to God’s Kingdom. He calls you to live a changed life, but the living of that life isn’t what changed you. God’s grace changed you through faith in Jesus Christ. #FollowJesus