PARADISE: A MOMENT OF VICTORY

 

PARADISE: A MOMENT OF VICTORY

Luke 23:43 And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” NLT

Let’s face it. It’s not an easy road to heaven. We have our ups and downs. No one can stay on the top of things all the time. No one can honestly say they never struggle to keep themselves holy before God. No one always wins their battles with Satan. No one lives a perfect Christian life.

Some people live what we would call charmed lives. They appear to have it altogether. Some achieve great things in life, without the Lord. Others live life on the downside. They never get out of the cesspool of sin. They do all the things God clearly says not to do. They are so hardened by sin that they don’t even fear death. Some reach out to the Lord before their last breath is taken. How do they fare as they enter into eternity. The dying thief gives us hope that even if it’s a deathbed encounter with the Lord, they will be saved from the clutches of hell.

God promises us that there is immediate salvation for all who reach out to Him with believing faith. There are no exceptions to this wondrous truth. No matter how evil a person may be, there is hope for salvation as long as there is breath of life. Never give up on a soul who is lost. Keep sharing the Gospel with them. Keep believing in the power of God to save them. Keep praying that they will believe in the Lord before they die.

There is victory over sin for all who would believe and accept Him. On the other hand, we learn from the cross that not all who are dying will believe in Jesus. The other thief on the cross went to his grave without the Lord. As far as we know, he died in his sins and fell into the clutches of hell.

The repentant thief got more than he bargained for. Not only did Jesus remember him and gave him victory over his sins, He assured him that he would have a glorious future. That very day, he would be with Jesus in paradise. We don’t know this side of heaven what all that entails, but we know that it is wondrous beyond our greatest imaginations. The glory of Christ will so fill heaven that there will be no need of sun. It will be a place where no sin will exist. It will be eternal bliss. Oh, that will be glory for me….!