PARADISE ON EARTH
Paradise on earth is a concept we are not presently experiencing. The dictionary defines it as a state of bliss or delight. The Garden of Eden was a literal paradise on earth until the fall of man. There was a carefree environment that was free of the ills of our present day society. Sin did not exist, nor its effects, until disobedience came into focus through the subtle devices of the serpent and a willingness to listen. Jesus in answer to the thief on the cross said: Today you shall be with me in paradise (Luke 23:43). Because the thief had a repentant heart and has appealed to the Savior of the World his request was granted. There were two thieves on the cross, one repented the other did not. One was given the promise of paradise one was not. That choice, is still an individual choice today. A commitment has to be made prior to departure from this earth before an eternal reward can be received. Both thieves made a commitment; one to be with Christ and the other to stay firmly entrenched in his unbelieving state. Acceptance or RejectionWhy would one choose a path of rejection, as one of the thieves on the cross, the day our Lord was crucified? His suffering was nothing compared to the suffering he would find due to that rejection of so great a salvation. Scripture tells us: He that believes on the name of Jesus is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned already, because he has not believed on the name of the only begotten Son of God (John 3:18). There is no in-between either you believe or you do not.A Heavenly RewardOne's journey in life will not be that of a literal paradise on earth because such a concept ended with Adam and Eve. When disobedience and sin entered into the picture that reality ended but there is a heaven prepared for those who have been redeemed (saved) through the precious blood of Jesus Christ shed on the cross of Calvary."Today you will be with me in paradise" pointed the way for all believers to one day share. If one will hold faithfully to God's Word of life, and walk therein, they too will be blessed with such an assurance. Have you accepted the free gift of God to mankind? For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16). If not, why not now and be not as the unrepentant thief on the cross who refused to yield his heart to Christ, but be as the repentant thief who went to paradise to be with the Lord that very day.
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