Heart Meditations on Arthur Pinks Seven Sayings of the Savior on the Cross The Word of Salvation I tell you the truth. Today you will be with me in Paradise. Luke Chapter 23, Verse 43 What grace is this, that the dying Savior would turn his bloodied face to a condemned thief and utter the sweetest words ever spoken to a guilty soul? The man had nothing to offer, no good works, no religious pedigree. He could not be baptized, catechized, or confirmed. He was nailed to a cross, justly punished, and moments from eternity, yet mercy met him there. What changed this man? A divine work of grace. One thief railed in unbelief. The other was awakened to his sin, rebuked his companion, and cast himself upon the crucified Christ. Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. He believed that the bleeding man beside him was the King of glory. He looked beyond the shame of the cross to the certainty of Christ's reign. That is saving faith. God-given, Christ-centered, and resting in sheer grace. And how does the Savior respond? Not with hesitation, not with conditions, but with an immediate promise. Today you will be with me in paradise. What a word! Here is the assurance of salvation, instant, personal, eternal. The dying thief would not pass into oblivion, nor into purgatory, but into the presence of Christ. To be with Christ is the essence of paradise. Salvation is not merely deliverance from hell. It is communion with the Redeemer Himself. Here the gospel shines in full glory. Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. The thief was saved without works, without sacraments, without delay. and so are all who truly believe. Let every trembling sinner take heart. Christ saves to the uttermost. None are too vile, too late, or too far gone. Let this word of salvation silence all self-righteous boasting. Let it drive us to the cross where hope dawns for the helpless, and let it cause every believer to marvel. The same promise given to the thief is yours. If you are in Christ, then today, should you die, you will be with Him. O sinner, come and plead for mercy. O saint, rejoice in the assurance of His unfailing grace.