When I was about seven years old, I woke up one Christmas morning to find the bicycle of my dreams under the Christmas tree. I was shocked, because I was under the impression that such gifts were reserved for boys and girls who had been especially good that year, which I had not been.
I remember asking my mom why her and dad had decided to give me the gift I so coveted on a year when I was so undeserving. She said, “Your father bought the bike several months ago, before you had a chance to be good or bad.”
That’s what our Father has done for us. He paid the price for our sin and addiction before we had a chance to be good or bad.
Here’s how Paul explained it: “What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness? Not at all!” (Romans 3:3-4).
Recovery Step: “God loves each of us as if there were only one of us” (Augustine). Celebrate that love today!
Author: Mark Denison
Mark and Beth Denison, married for 36 years, launched There’s Still Hope as a national movement to call men and women into lives of sexual integrity. Their ministry offers 90-day recovery plans for addicts and one-on-one and group coaching for addicts and their spouses. TSH also produces resources for pastors and churches to confront the porn epidemic that is destroying so many lives.
Dr. Denison was a senior pastor for over 30 years, NBA chaplain, and board chairman at Houston Baptist University three times. With a Master’s Degree in Addiction Recovery, Mark is a certified PSAP and active member of the American Association of Christian Counselors.
Mark has written four books on recovery: Porn in the Pew, 365 Days to Sexual Integrity, A 90-Day Recovery Guide, and 40 Days to Porn-Free Living. His latest book, Jesus on the 12 Steps, will be released later this year.
