I deserve death, but Jesus offers life!

James 2:10 NLT
For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws.

Romans 6:23 NIV
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Luke 23:32-33 NIV
Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with [Jesus] to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left.

Luke 23:39-41 NIV
One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at [Jesus]: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

WE ARE ALL ONE OF THE TWO CRIMINALS

Criminal #1: UNREPENTANT

Criminal #2: REPENTANT

Luke 23:42-43 NIV
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Psalm 103:10-12 NIV
He [God] does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

TALK IT OVER:

Tell your best “getting caught” story that wasn’t so funny when it happened.
Talk about the moment you first realized your need for Jesus.
In what ways do you live like the first criminal, as if you don’t need a savior?
Ask Jesus to bring His life to these areas.

I have been guilty of being a thief. We are all guilty of breaking God’s laws. We deserve death, but Jesus offers us life! Read Romans 6:23 again. The wages of sin is death. It is Jesus Christ who gives the gift of eternal life.

We are all one of the two thieves. We get to choose which one we are. Will you be like the thief who believes you have this all on your own? Or will you be like the thief who realizes your shortcomings and is willing to accept the gift Jesus is offering?

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