Second Chances

READ: JOHN 3:16-17; ROMANS 8:1-17, 32-39; HEBREWS 4:14-16

I attend a Bible study with women who are older (and wiser) than I am. Sometimes their stories surprise me. One of these women, who I’ll call Larissa, recently shared a memory from years ago. While at university, she needed a white dress to wear for a ceremony. Since she didn’t have one, she decided to sew one herself, borrowing a sewing machine from a friend who lived in her dorm. But the finished product turned out badly. Larissa took the dress home on her next visit to recruit help from her mom. After taking apart the dress and remaking it entirely, Larissa’s mom begged her not to try sewing ever again.

Although we laughed at the story, Larissa told our group she’d never improved her sewing skills because her mother didn’t give her a second chance. In fact, Larissa had never even attempted to sew another project. I began to wonder, What if God responded the way Larissa’s mother had when we make mistakes? What if He didn’t provide mercy and extend another opportunity when we fail? What if God never gave second chances—or third or fourth or…?

The good news is, God has provided mercy through Jesus Christ. Once we’ve put our trust in Christ to forgive our sins, we no longer face condemnation—ever. We receive the righteousness of Jesus in exchange for our unrighteousness. As Romans 8:1 says, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” We have been delivered from the death sentence our sin deserved. And now, as God’s forgiven children, we get to enjoy freedom!

Since Christ gave Himself as the “sin offering” (Romans 8:3), we don’t have to be afraid that we will exhaust opportunities to join God in His work. We can step out in faith, knowing that if we fall flat, God will pick us up and help us try again— because we can never wear out God’s grace! He helps us grow in our walk with Jesus by giving second (and more) chances to His children. • Allison Wilson Lee

• Have you ever felt like you messed up so badly that God wouldn’t give you any more chances? God knows that we aren’t perfect and that growing in Christ is a lifelong process—one that will only be completed when Jesus returns (Philippians 1:6). How could remembering that there is “no condemnation for those who are in Christ” help us accept ourselves where we are today?

• How does keeping our eyes on Jesus, instead of our shortcomings, make it possible for us to keep running the race He has marked out for us? (Hebrews 12:1-3)

• Consider taking a moment to ask God to help you notice where He is giving you another chance.

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 (NIV)