Do only bad people go to heaven?

4/19/2019

And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
Luke 23:43 NKJV

This verse reveals God’s heart. Jesus does not care what we have done. He wants all of us to spend eternity basking in the light of His love.

Jesus came to restore the sick and lame. He came to raise the dead in trespasses and sins to eternal life. He did not come so good people could feel better about themselves. Jesus came so those of us humble enough to admit our sin could repent!

Jesus was beaten and insulted by the religious leaders as He was led to the cross. He was mocked by the Roman soldiers while He hung on it. He was crucified between two criminals. One of them spoke blasphemy against Jesus.

The women who followed Jesus wept for Him. Most of His disciples abandoned Him. In the shadow of Jesus’ death one of the criminals professed faith in the Son of God!

Everyone sins and falls short of God’s perfect plan and purpose. There are no exceptions!

The religious leaders thought they could earn their way into heaven. The Roman soldiers put their trust in the arm of flesh. Jesus’ disciples did not yet see through eyes of faith.

The criminal who mocked Jesus and hurled insults at Him may have been venting his anger at his circumstances. He was influenced by the religious leaders and Roman soldiers. He chose to remain in sin rather than repent in faith!

The repentant criminal witnessed no miracles. He heard no preaching. Jesus offered Him nothing of earthly value or creature comfort. Jesus fate seemed no better than his own.

The unnamed criminal took one of the greatest steps of faith in history. He defended Jesus. He confessed his sin. He called out in faith. What did he ask for? Eternal life with the Lord of Glory!

What did Jesus do? Jesus forgave the criminal’s sin. Jesus promised a man who was guilty of such great sin he was being executed a place in His kingdom!

Do only bad people go to heaven. Are you one of them?

If you do not know Jesus stop following the crowd. Stop blaming God for your circumstances. Quit trusting in what you can do. Call out to Jesus today!

Unbelievers are not the only people who sin. We all suffer from the same condition. The season of our Saviors victory over sin and death is the perfect time to repent!

Take a step of faith. Look at your circumstances through eyes of faith. Confess your sin. Call out to Jesus. God loves you enough to reserve a place for you in His kingdom!

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Louie Garcia

Joyfor2day daily devotional goes out over the internet to thousands of people all over the world five days a week

Jesus can use you to shake the foundations of the prison and set people free!

Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune telling. This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out that very hour. Acts 16:16-18 NKJV

The slave girl was speaking the truth. She was possessed by an evil spirit. The evil spirit was drawing people away from Christ!

This attack came as God’s servants went to prayer. The enemy of our souls attacks when we step out in faith. Satan seeks to distract us. He wants us to focus our attention on things other than Jesus.

The devil perverts the truth. He uses it against us. No one can serve two masters. This girl was speaking the truth about Paul and his companions while practicing witchcraft. When people claim to speak for God we must consider how they live.

The girl followed the disciples for several days before they cast the demon out of her. It is important for us to wait on the Lord before stepping out in faith. The bible tells us Paul was greatly annoyed by this girl. Paul was not fearful. The Lord was with Him!

Paul and Silas were put in jail. The owners of the slave girl were angry at the loss of income when the demon was cast out of her. While Paul and Silas were in jail they shared the gospel with the jailer. His entire household was saved.

God uses Satan’s attacks for His glory and our salvation!

Satan is a real being. He takes people captive to do his will. There really are demons who seek to destroy God’s people and bring destruction to our world.

We have nothing to fear from the devil or his demons when we live according to God’s will. We have nothing to fear from anyone or anything when we step out in faith to serve Jesus!

Jesus wants us to fear Him and Him alone. He wants us to know His power and authority are unequaled in all of creation.

God wants you share the gospel of Jesus Christ with the people in your life. Jesus wants you to walk in great boldness because He is with you everywhere you go!

Jesus can use you to shake the foundations of the prison and set people free!

Do only bad people go to heaven?

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Louie Garcia

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