I would like to share comments on a portion of
chapter 23 with you today. Verses 39-43 give the
account of the two malefactors hanging beside Jesus on
the cross. Let us briefly contrast them. First, both
malefactors were equally near to Christ. They both had
the same opportunity of believing and receiving Him.
The distinction is that of a man who is willing to by
faith receive Jesus Christ as his own personal
Saviour, and one who has hardened his heart and turned
away from Christ. How true were the words of the
repentant malefactor when he said he was justly
receiving the due reward for his deeds. He confessed
his sins; he recognized that Christ was the sinless
Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, and,
as a result, Jesus told him, “…today shalt thou be
with me in paradise.”

Many people have asked me if I believe in
deathbed repentance. My response is that I do, but I
do not recommend that a person wait until he is on his
deathbed before receiving Christ; because we have no
promise of tomorrow. In II Corinthians 6:2 we read,
“…now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day
of salvation.” Procrastination is one of the main
reasons why men and women are not saved. People keep
putting off making a decision for Christ. I have had
many people tell me they plan to be saved tomorrow or
next week. A dear friend once said, “There are many
people in hell today who planned to be saved in the
eleventh hour, but died at 10:30.”

Just as the two malefactors had the free will
of making a choice for or against Christ, so does
every individual today. God has given us that free
will so that we might make our own choice. God will
never force Jesus on anyone. But, neither will He ever
reject anyone who comes to Jesus by way of the cross.
Through the means of radio, television, the printed
page, and every other human effort available, we
should try to get the good news of Christ to all men.
God has promised in His Word that every effort in His
name will be honored. In Psalm 126:6 we read, “He that
goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall
doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his
sheaves with him.” What a joy and privilege it is to
serve a risen and living Saviour, and to know that He
loves us and will sustain us throughout our daily
lives.