Take It With You 03.13.2016

Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me

in paradise.” Wow. Verse 43 of our scripture reading today says

it all. Here, upon a cross, next to Jesus, is a man who just got done

proclaiming his guilt. He actually sees justice in his own crucifixion.

But he believed. In his moment of tortured recompense he said, “Jesus,

remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And He did.

When I think of all the mistakes I’ve made in life. When I think of all

the bad and wrong things I’ve done. The things that are public. The

things only I will ever know about. Whether it was a thought, an urge

or something I carried out with full knowledge of what I was doing.

If I add up all those things, I don’t reckon they add up to the penalty

of crucifixion. So why, when God can forgive the man being rightfully

crucified next to Him, why can’t I forgive myself?

God forgives me. He died for me. He even died for the criminal next

to Him. The death of Jesus upon the cross wiped away all of our sins.

We just have to ask Him. And that’s as simple as heart felt prayer. God

wants us to forgive ourselves too. He knows that a burdened soul can

never truly glorify Him with an open heart. That’s why He let His own

blood spill down from the cross and over the Earth. It was to cleanse

us of our sins.

Rejoice! Rejoice in the power of God’s forgiveness. Let go of that little

voice in your head saying you aren’t worth it. Believe that God loves

you still and always. And worship Him with your heart wide open.

– Joe Greene