The day you die may be a long way off, but nothing is more certain… it will come. One day you will wake up and it will be your last day on earth. What will happen to you then?

The story of the thief on the cross tells us how we can be sure about heaven. We are not told much about this man, except that while he was hanging on the cross next to Jesus, he said to Him, “Remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And then Jesus said to this criminal, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise” (23:42–43).

It is natural for us to think that people get into heaven by living a good life, but the thief had not done that. He was a criminal, and his crimes were such that he was sentenced to death.

This man clearly had not lived a good life, and he knew it. The thief did not dispute the justice of his sentence, in fact, he said, “We are receiving the due reward of our deeds” (23:41).

This man was out of time. With his hands and feet nailed to the cross, he couldn’t begin to do good works, and yet Jesus said to him: “Today you will be with me in paradise”!

This contradicts the mindset that says, “In order to get into heaven, I’ve got to live a good enough life to please God.” The thief clearly didn’t do that. So, how did he get in?

The good news is that if it was possible for this man to get into heaven, you can too. The story of the thief shows us how, and it can be summarised in three words—turn, ask, and trust.

Have you given much thought to how a person gets into heaven?

Sooner or later, your last day on earth will come. It may come this week, this month, or this year. Or it may be a long way off for you. But one day you will wake up, and whether you realise it or not, it will be your last day. And what will happen to you then?

Jesus speaks to us about heaven. He came into the world so that people could go there. Nothing matters more than that you should get into heaven. It matters more than your work, your business, or your money.

Jesus told a story about a man who was all wrapped up in his work. Business was booming. He was working on a plan for expansion. There’s nothing wrong with expanding your business, but this man said something very interesting: “I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods” (12:18).

This man was a planner. But God said this man was a fool, because in preparing for the future he missed the biggest part. You plan for a future that may last 10, 20, or 30 years after you retire. But then what? One day you will leave this world and all that you have. To plan and prepare for the few years you have in this world is good and wise, but to neglect the eternity that lies beyond this world would be the greatest folly.

Ask yourself, “How well am I prepared for the future that lies beyond this?”

Perhaps you would say today, “I’m not sure that I have been saved.” Or, “I’m not sure that I am being saved.” Or, “I’m not sure that I will be saved.” In your heart of hearts, you wonder: If salvation comes from the Lord, what can I do? Doesn’t this leave me without hope?

No. It is precisely the opposite. When Jonah says, “Salvation belongs to the LORD,” that opens the door of hope for you! How are you going to have faith? How are you going to love God more than yourself? How are you going to overcome sin and live a holy life?

You cannot do these things in your own power, but God can do them for you and in you. The Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross because you cannot reconcile yourself to God. He sends His Holy Spirit because you cannot give yourself spiritual life. And He promises His presence and power because you cannot overcome sin by yourself.

Salvation comes from the Lord, and when you see that, you will gather courage to come to Him and ask Him to save you. Get your eyes off yourself and your own inability to change. Get your eyes fixed on the Lord and His ability to save. The Lord saved Jonah. Why should you not ask Him to save you as well?

Here’s how C. H. Spurgeon ended his message on this great text:

“Everybody here has a soul to be saved or a soul to be lost. You will be lost forever, unless God shall save you… Down on your knees! Cry to God for mercy. Lift up your heart in prayer to God now! May this be the moment when you will be saved. You can have peace with God now. Ask, and it shall be given, seek and you will find. Come to Christ and be accepted in God’s dearly loved Son.”

Could this be the moment when you will be saved?