The Great Divide - Luke 23

 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 6
Listen from:
• BibleTruthPublishers.com
Luk. 23:3333And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. (Luke 23:33). And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on Him, saying, If Thou be Christ, save Thyself and us.
But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
Luk. 23:4242And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. (Luke 23:42). And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom.
Luk. 23:4343And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. (Luke 23:43). And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with Me in paradise.
The story above was taken from the Bible. It is a story that teaches us many important lessons.
Both of the men who were crucified at the side of Jesus Christ, were sinners. Both were helpless to save themselves from the physical death and eternal judgment that their sins deserved. Both had the same opportunity to repent and believe on Christ.
One of the men acknowledged Jesus as Lord, and believed on Him. He was told by Christ that he would be with Him in paradise that very day because, of his faith. He went straight to heaven without keeping the ten commandments—without payment of money—without works of any kind. He did not pass into purgatory or punishment for his sins. He was saved forever by faith in Christ alone because of the value of the blood of the Lamb of God shed for him on Calvary's cross.
The other man died in his sins and is lost forever!
God has given us this solemn story in His Word to both warn us and encourage us. Here we see a soul saved at "the eleventh hour," that no one may despair. But He has given us only one such case so that none of us may count upon having an opportunity to be saved at the last minute.
NOW is the only time you really have to accept Christ. Please don't miss your opportunity! "WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED." Rom. 10:1313For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13).