The Second Chance

Have you ever needed a second chance?

I have!

We all know what it’s like to mess up or not get something right first. We all know what it’s like when we feet a second chance to make it right.

That opportunity gives hope that we can correct what was wrong and be freed of shame and guilt.

This is a big deal because the truth is that we all make mistakes and need a second chance to make it right.

What’s remarkable is that Jesus gives a second chance to all of us!

If you feel your life is messed up beyond repair, you can be born again and have a second chance. 

“12. But to all who believed and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.”

John 1:12-13

Notice that we can be reborn by the spirit of God, and through Jesus, he makes all things new. 

If you feel you have done too many wrong things to be forgiven, Jesus forgives us and wipes your record clean. He gives a second chance. 

“He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.”

Psalms 103:12

Notice how He completely removes our sins, and we are cleaned.

If your case is impossible and there’s no hope, that’s not true. He gives a second chance.

“For with God, nothing is impossible.”

Luke 1:37

Meaning there’s no case beyond his reach. There’s nothing he can’t do. Yes, that includes you!

Jesus redeems broken people. Jesus saves the lost. Jesus heals the sick. Jesus sets people free. Jesus restores Hope. Jesus mends the broken-hearted. Jesus restores what was stolen. Jesus gives a second chance!

This is what he’s doing!

What area of your life do you need a second chance?

Whatever it is, here are three thoughts to receive from Jesus and move forward.  

First, admit you missed it.

If we can’t admit we’ve missed it, we can’t receive a second chance.

It starts with admitting we’ve missed it and asking God to forgive us. We must take This first step because no one is exempt. When we ignore it but we can be forgiven too. 

It’s through Jesus. So when we mess up, we go to him and ask him to forgive us. When we do, he’s faithful and forgives us. 

“But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse us from all wickedness.”

1 John 1:9

Second, we make it suitable for others.

After we go to God, we must go to the person involved. All most every time we mess up, it’s connected to another person. 

When this happens, we must make it right with them. We admit our mistake, apologize for what we did and ask for forgiveness.

We don’t blame them; we don’t apologize or make excuses. We own our part and seek to make it right with them. Whether they do their part or not is out of our control. Our posture is to do what we need to do and be peacemakers.

To be free of burdens like guilt and shame, we must do our best to make it right with others.

Third, develop a new habit.

Here’s what’s great about this. We can have a second chance; with it, we can learn a new habit and not repeat the mistake.

Now, we’ve all made the same mistake more than once. But we can develop new habits, overcome the pattern, and be free.

This is a huge aspect of what God can do in us; no matter how many second chances we need, he’ll give it. However, it’s good to know we can develop new habits that empower us to be aware and free from the patterns that create mess-ups.

Yes, in Jesus, we can have a second chance and be free from what caused the mess. 

He does both. 

So, in what area of your life do you need a second chance?

There’s hope for you, and move forward with these three steps because we don’t have to live under guilt and shame.

We can be free and have peace with God, others, and ourselves.

Jesus is not done with you; the best is yet to come!

PD