THE GIFT OF GRACE

At Calvary a man was dying who deserved hell.  He was a thief.  He was a murderer. Yet in the last moment he turned to Christ and said "Lord, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom" (Luke 23:42).  In that moment Jesus turned to him and said, "Today you will be with Me in Paradise" (Luke  23:43).

I expect to see that man in Paradise. That man is in heaven today. Not because he could come down from the cross and be baptized. Not because he could come down from the cross and take communion. Not because he could come down from the cross and give money to charitable work. Not because he could come down from the cross and live a good life.  He had been a wicked, godless man, but he was saved by the tender mercy and grace of God.

And that is what brings us to the cross.  You will never understand what the cross means until you understand in your own life the assurance that God gives in His Word: "By grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8). 

-- Billy Graham

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