Today

Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Luke 23:43 (NIV)

When the criminal on the cross next to Jesus repented of his sin and asked the Lord to remember him when He came into His kingdom, Jesus responded with these words of acceptance and assurance: “Today you will be with me in paradise.”

God’s grace is what makes today the start of everything different. Jesus offers to change your mind, change your heart, change your life—and He offers it all today.

He doesn’t say, “Make your confession and I will put your forgiveness on an installment plan.” He doesn’t say, “Due to a high demand and an industry backlog, we’re waiting on parts to come in and I’ll have to place your prayer on backorder.”

No, Jesus’s timeframe is today. When you repent, you get today shaped by the Lord’s will. You get today graced by the Lord’s forgiveness. You get today strengthened by the Lord’s power. You get today justified by the Lord’s sacrifice.

You also get peace by the Lord’s atoning work at Calvary. You get your weaknesses made perfect in the Lord’s strength. You get the spiritual riches of His kindness and grace.

And that grace guarantees that all of it can be yours today when you repent.

What a difference today makes!