I once heard Matt Wallin, a fellow preacher, say, “If we’re looking at the thief on the cross on how to be saved, then we’re looking at the wrong cross.”

The thief lived and died under the Law of Moses, a law that was nailed to the cross and is not binding on us. You and I have never lived under the Law of Moses.

To be saved, we need to look at the cross of Jesus. We need to look at the things Jesus said. Notice Jesus’ words from John 12:48. “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.”

What did Jesus say concerning eternal life? Jesus commanded men to repent, to experience a change of mind and determine to serve God and please Him. Luke 13:2-5.

Now notice Jesus’ words from Mark 16:16. “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” Some people deny that baptism is necessary to receive forgiveness of your sin. Friends, I don’t want to put myself in a position of arguing with God. Look to the right cross, the cross of Christ.