Multitudes of “convicted felons” will one day enter into heaven…
…while many so-called “law-abiding citizens” won't. Why? Because these prisoners heard the gospel that the Son of God died for their sins and that He arose from the grave, and each of them allowed the Holy Spirit to convict their heart. They repented of their sins and asked Jesus Christ to forgive them. Thus, they not only received forgiveness for all their sins (past, present, and future), but they have received the gift of “eternal life.” While their names may be recorded on police blotters and in court papers, their names are now also recorded in God's “Book of Life.” And while convicted felons like myself must suffer the consequences of our criminal actions – for God is a Being of justice – in His eyes our sins have been forgotten.
It is tragic, though, that so many “good people” in this world see no need to repent of their sins, too, and place their trust in Jesus. How foolish it must seem to many, that the first-person Jesus Christ promised to enter into paradise with Him, was a thief who was dying on a cross next to the Lord. For this thief cried out with a repentant heart and in faith. And Christ said the most wonderful words a person in this man's condition could ever hope to hear: “Truly I say unto thee, today you shall be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).
D.B.
It is tragic, though, that so many “good people” in this world see no need to repent of their sins, too, and place their trust in Jesus. How foolish it must seem to many, that the first-person Jesus Christ promised to enter into paradise with Him, was a thief who was dying on a cross next to the Lord. For this thief cried out with a repentant heart and in faith. And Christ said the most wonderful words a person in this man's condition could ever hope to hear: “Truly I say unto thee, today you shall be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).
D.B.