Are You Wiser Than a Criminal?

Monday greetings,

I spent a lot of time thinking about Psalm 23:6 this weekend.  "Surely Your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life..."

If we take this promise at face value, and we should, this means that every single day we are alive we can be certain that God's goodness and love are in our lives.

But before we go any further, let's clarify something: The promises of God are not for everyone. 

Say what?

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."  

His promises are for those who believe in Him.  For those who allow themselves to be caught by the goodness and the love that steadfastly pursue.  Everyone is pursued, but some folks just run away even harder.

Consider the two criminals on the cross on either side of Christ.  

Luke 23:32-41 Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with Christ...They were also crucified - one on His right and one on His left...One of the criminals hanging beside Him scoffed, "You're the Messiah...Prove it...Save Yourself and us...!" The other criminal protested, "Don't you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve it, but Jesus hasn't done anything wrong."  Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."

Both criminals had the same opportunity, but only one believed.  Only one realized that even though his life of poor choices had led to a sentence of death, Christ was able to save him.  What a wise criminal.  This criminal would die on earth, but it was a stepping stone to an even better life - the best life - eternal life!

Luke 23:41 And Jesus replied, "I assure you, today you will be with Me in paradise."

I always get the goose pimples and jimjams when I read this verse!  As soon as we say yes to Jesus, yes to His love, yes to His goodness, everything immediately gets better!  TODAY YOU WILL BE WITH ME IN PARADISE! Amen!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We say, "YES!" to You.  We stop running right now and allow ourselves to get caught by Your love and goodness.  Thank You for Your immediate and total forgiveness no matter what we have done.  In Jesus' name, AMEN!