“A Second Chance”

Jarrod M. Jacobs

 

Men often provide us with “second chances.” Children play games and occasionally ask for a “do-over.” Youth baseball coaches may allow a controversial play to be “done over.” Teachers might tell students to “go back and walk” in the hallways to prevent running. I think about second chances when considering my computer’s beloved “delete” key. How often have I needed a “do over” while writing and welcomed the sight of that key! Computers also have an “undo” option, which lets us revert to an earlier document version. In sports, computers, and other life areas, it seems we can have second chances.

            Yet, are we really providing people with “second chances” when we speak of a “do over”, an “undo” option, or a “delete” key to readjust our work? In truth, we cannot re-live and readjust the mistakes made in life.  We cannot go back in time and relive the past to avoid making mistakes. The best we can do in such cases is to pretend it did not happen and then reenact the event, changing the error, to give the impression that it did not happen! Whether we speak of sporting events, computer work, or something we wrote with a pencil (not a pen!), the best we can do is pretend the mistake did not happen, for we all recognize it happened! Time moves in only one direction, so man cannot honestly offer people a “second chance.”

 

“Second Chances” Are In Christ!

            Unlike the examples above, we genuinely have a second chance in Christ! This is because in Christ, we can have forgiveness of sins. Such forgiveness is not merely pretending that a sin has not occurred and retracing our steps to avoid the sin. In the case of forgiveness, Christ actually will erase the sin and make the filthy sinner clean again! This is what Peter taught when he told the Jews, “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...” (Acts 3:19). Isaiah said, “though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool” (Isa. 1:18). Yes, Christ is the only One who can truly offer people a “second chance”!

            Christ came into the world, and by the shedding of His blood, offers a way by which man can be saved and free from the guilt of sin (Matt. 26:26; Rev. 1:5). Does this action erase a man’s history? By no means! Sins (acts contrary to God’s will, I Jn. 3:4; Jas. 4:17) have been committed by man (Rom. 3:23). Yet, Christ is willing to forgive us and will erase the guilt of our sin when we accept His conditions for forgiveness. These conditions include loving faith in Him, believing in His teachings, and obeying His commandments (Mk. 16:16). It is not just about believing in Christ, but also about living a life that reflects His teachings and commandments. This is how we can truly accept His forgiveness and start anew.

            Christ allows us a genuine “second chance” by which we can determine not to do those wicked things again. We then make sure this occurs by fighting against Satan (Jas. 4:7) and looking for the way to escape temptation (I Cor. 10:13).

            There is a reason why Christ calls being born into His kingdom being “born again” (Jn. 3:3, 5; I Pet. 1:23). It is because we have an opportunity to start anew, afresh, and begin again in Christ. When baptized into Christ, our sins are washed away (Acts 22:16), our guilt is no longer over us, and we become “as white as snow”! Truly, Christ offers a “second chance,” but we need to take advantage of His offer while we still can (II Cor. 6:2)!

 

Conclusion

            Living on this side of eternity, we cannot go back and “undo” history. However, Christ’s blood gives us the opportunity to erase that guilt, to start anew, and to be a better person today than we have been in the past.

            No man can offer what Christ offers us, because with man, we are only pretending! No one can truly go back in time. However, Christ offers us true forgiveness, pardon, and “newness of life” (Rom. 6:3-4)!

            How thankful I am for a “delete” key on the computer! I suppose only God Himself knows how many mistakes I have made on this short document! Yet, I am even more grateful for God sending His Son to die on the cross (Jn. 3:14-16). Through His sacrifice, I can have true forgiveness, a real “second chance”, and a home in Heaven!