Second Chances, Part 1 of 2.

Today I’d like to draw our attention to the idea of second chances.
Second Chance Defined: “help given to someone who has failed, in the hope that they will succeed this time”. In my opinion, this definition shows mankind’s depravity (we’ve all fallen short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23) and it also shows God’s continued involvement in the life of someone in need of a second chance…providing hope and setting us up for success. God has, is, and will always actively provide assistance through the process of being made new. Yes, by His mercy and grace He is allowing us a fresh start, and each day He is also providing us a way to escape that which is causing us to fall short (1 Corinthians 10:13), thus the need for a second chance. He is praying for His followers and cheering us on (John 17:20-23). He provides other faithful followers who can get us back on track, but most importantly He provides hope through His Word…

• 2 Timothy 3:16 (NLT) All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.
• 2 Peter 1:3 (NLT)  By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.

Consider the following passages…notice how He provides second chances in a new/renewing process. His goal is to make new / renew that which has been tainted by The Fall of man. He does so by means of second chances.

• Lamentations 3:22-23 (NKJV) 22 Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
• Galatians 6:15 (NKJV) For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.
• Isaiah 65:17 (NKJV) “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind.
• Revelation 21:1 (NKJV) Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea.
• 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

I just want to remind us that last year was last year. Yesterday was yesterday. Today, the next second on the clock, etc., and tomorrow will be and are new. God provides an opportunity for newness each and every day of our lives. What occurred previously in our lives can be put to rest, and today, today, ALL THINGS can be made new through Him. That’s the power of His grace, mercy, and love. That’s the power of repentance and forgiveness. Regardless of you’re your fallen short looks like, God provides a way for that to be dealt with, forgotten, and become brand new today. A clean slate…a starting over…made white as snow.

• Check out this invite from the Lord in…
  • Isaiah 1:18 (NLT) “Come now, let’s settle this,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.
• Check out the promise from the Lord in…
  • Isaiah 43:25 (NLT) “I—yes, I alone--will blot out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again.
• The Reality…
  • As David pointed out in Psalm 51:17 (NLT) The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.
  • Titus 3:5 (NIV) he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,
• Our response and request…
  • Lamentations 3:40 (ESV) Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the LORD!
  • Romans 12:2 (NIV) Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
  • 2 Corinthians 4:16 (NIV) Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
  • Colossians 3:10 (NIV) and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
  • 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NLT) So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
  • Psalm 51:10 (ESV) Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
• Why?
  • So, the Lord doesn’t come to a point of giving us over to the desires of our hearts (Romans 1:26, 28).
    • Romans 1:26a (NIV) Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts.
    • Romans 1:28 (NIV) Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done.

​In the next blog we’ll continue to look at what the Bible says about second chances from an article from gotquestions.org.
Practicing His Presence,
Nate