"Then he said to Jesus, 'Lord,
remember me when You come
into Your kingdom."
Luke 23:42
A man said to a minister, "I heard a man preaching over the radio. He said that a person couldn't be saved by simply saying a prayer. What do you say?" The minister said, "It doesn't matter so much what I say. What's important is what Jesus said. The dying thief prayed a simple prayer. Jesus said to him, 'Today you will be with me in Paradise.' That's a clear case of a man being saved through a simple prayer. Jesus has the final word with me." The man said, "Me too. I'm counting on His word to save me."
God's word of salvation has not changed. "For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Joel 2:32; Romans 10:13). The dying thief could do nothing else but call on the Lord. His time was short and his death was near. Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43). He went to heaven trusting the word of the Lord.
On what do you base the assurance of your salvation? Some seek assurance in feelings, church membership, or religious rituals. The dying thief based his assurance on the Lord's word of promise. The Lord honored his simple petition. His prayer request was answered. His simple, brief prayer made an eternal difference. The same can be said of your prayer.
Prayer: "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom."
