Salvation Is Easier Than We Realize

One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43) 
 
This account of the conversations between the thieves on the cross and Jesus is packed with so many valuable principles for us to learn. But one of the most important principles we can take from this story is that it is easier to be saved than we realize.  
 
If you want to be guaranteed eternal life, if you want all of your sins to be separated from you, and if you want to be completely forgiven for your past, present, and future sins, you can find comfort in the fact that acquiring all of those things is rather simple.  
 
The thief on the cross is a perfect example. Here he was on his deathbed, just moments from entering into eternity, and all he did was acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God and profess his faith in Jesus. That’s it. He didn’t perform any good works for Jesus to see. There were no good works to follow his profession of faith. There was no opportunity for him to be baptized. All he had was a moment to confess his faith in Christ and ask to be saved.  
 
The same circumstances are true for you too. There’s nothing you can do in your own power to earn your salvation. There aren’t enough good deeds in the world for you to perform and accomplish to prove yourself to God. All you have to do is acknowledge your sin and your need for a Savior and profess your faith to your Heavenly Father. When you do this, He will welcome you with open arms into His family, and you will be guaranteed to spend eternity with Him.