One of the two thieves crucified with Jesus prayed (Luke 23:42-43

ESV): "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."  Jesus promised him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."

The thief knew he was a sinner and deserved to die.  That is justice.

But, he had just heard Jesus say (Luke 23:34): "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."  That is grace.  Although the soldiers and Jewish rulers mocked Jesus, the thief did not.  He even rebuked the other thief saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are

under the same sentence of condemnation?"  

What about you, do you want justice or grace?  The person is lost who asks to be judged on his deeds: "Well, I am not that bad.  I have not murdered anyone or stolen anything, at least nothing really large.  I only lie when I think I need to.  Those inappropriate sexual thoughts?  No one is perfect."

Any sin separates us from holy God.  Romans 3:23 says, "All of us have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."  Romans 6:23 adds, "The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

As a sinner, you are under the same eternal condemnation as the thief, unless you claim Christ's promise.  If you are baptized into the faith of Jesus Christ, then you have His promise that He will remember you on your dying day and every day.

Romans 6:3-4 says, "Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?  We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."

"Jesus, remember me" is a great prayer every day.  He does.  He gives

you forgiveness, life and salvation.  Amen