Scripture: “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” – Acts 16:31
Examination: This chapter of Acts describes Paul’s missionary work in several places, culminating in his imprisonment, miraculous deliverance from bonds, and ultimate conversion of the Philippian jailer.
Application: “If you died right now, how do you know you’ll be in heaven?” That’s a question many of us have heard before. The usual way it gets answered is something like, “I asked Jesus to be my Saviour”, or “I’ve been a faithful member of my church for years”, or “I’ve prayed and been baptized”, or some other variation of that. If your answer to that question begins with the word, “I”, reconsider your response.
Imagine for a moment that you’re strolling in heaven and you see the thief who hung on the cross next to Jesus, and you ask yourself, “How did he get here?” After all, you know that this is a man who knew nothing about the Scriptures. He knew nothing about justification by faith. He never had been baptized. He never took communion. He never was a member of a church. He never tithed. In fact, for a little while, he and the other thief reviled Jesus as all three hung on their crosses. Matthew 27:44 states, “The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.”
Eventually, you approach him, and with a questioning look, ask, “How did you get here?” He looks at you and pauses before responding. He closes his eyes as if in deep thought. Perhaps he is remembering what happened long ago… He can still hear the spectators mocking Jesus’ claim that He is the Son of God, and then he hears his own voice as he joins in the ridicule. But as the agonizing minutes tick by, he notices something about the man hanging on the center cross. He doesn’t hear Him spew words of hate to those on the ground below. He hears Him ask His Father to forgive those who are responsible for crucifying Him as well as those who are mocking Him. As he contemplates the reaction of Jesus to the crowd, something stirs in his heart. His skepticism becomes belief, but he has nothing to demonstrate his new faith in Christ. However, he holds on to a glimmer of hope and humbly implores, “Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.” (Luke 23:42). No fancy prayer, no baptism, no act of service. Just nine simple words. Luke 23:43 then records Jesus’ response, “Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” Finally, the thief looks up and answers your question, “The man on the cross next to me told me I could come with Him.”
There is nothing you or I can do to secure our spot in heaven. Titus 3:5 states, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” Salvation is not complicated, nor does it require us to earn it. It has all been done for us. John 19:30 states, “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” Jesus’ statement on the cross signified that there was absolutely nothing else to be done for salvation to be available to the world. The price for our sin had been paid in full by Him. Today, all we need to do is put our faith and trust in Christ… just like the thief on the cross. Romans 10:13 states, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
The next time someone asks me, “If you died right now, how do you know you’ll be in heaven?” My answer will be, “Jesus promised me I could be with Him forever.” Nine little words…
Memory Verse: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” – Ephesians 4:32
Stretching your thoughts:
1. Believing in church traditions or personal efforts for salvation can be difficult to abandon for the truth of Scripture. How would you help someone realize that salvation and the forgiveness of sins is completely accomplished by Jesus alone?
The cross upon which Jesus died
Is a shelter in which we can hide
And its grace so free is sufficient for me
And deep is its fountain as wide as the sea
There's room at the cross for you
There's room at the cross for you
Tho' millions have come, there's still room for one
Yes, there's room at the cross for you
(from “There’s Room at the Cross” by Ira F. Stanphill)