Welcome to Faith Church Online! As we continue to study the last words of Jesus from the cross, we come across a phrase that gives some people hesitation. Jesus is promising forgiveness and eternal life to a criminal who just professed his faith in Jesus. Paul writes in Ephesians 2 that "we are saved by grace through faith..." meaning it is our of God's kindness and goodness we receive salvation, not because of our own merit. 
We hope this serves you well.