There is a great promise for those who follow Jesus. He told the repentant thief, “Today, you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).
What is “paradise”? Is it the same thing as heaven?
Sort of. John Wesley called paradise “only the porch of heaven.” He saw it as the gathering place of the saved until Christ comes for his children.
The Greek word for paradise refers to a walled park or garden. Early readers of Jesus’ promise to the thief would have thought of Eden’s garden – a tangible, touchable location. Why would we think heaven’s paradise is any different?
God’s garden occupies the center of paradise.
Recovery Step: What does paradise have to do with recovery? Good question. I think I just wanted to remind you that we have something to look forward to, better than anything this world can offer.
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.
