Its the classic action movie. There are 10 seconds before the bomb explodes and kills thousands of people for a dozen city blocks, not to mention totally vaporising the hero who is trying to disarm it.
Sweat pours off his or her face as anxious police and others stand by in frozen terror. Which wire to cut – the red one or the yellow one? Four seconds to go. Try the red one. Two seconds to go. No, the yellow one. One second. Snip!
There is only one chance to get it right. Somehow in the movies the hero always manages to cut the right wire, but life is not the movies. Ever feel that youve cut the wrong wire and everything has just gone BOOM? With a real bomb there is no second chance, but if only God would give us a second chance.
I think whether God gives us second chances can be answered to a large extent by looking at the life of Jesus. Jesus was (and is) God and his life and character clearly reflect that of God the Father. So when the disciple Peter comes to Jesus and asks How many times must I forgive those that sin against me? Seven times? Jesus answer is intriguing. No, not seven times, but seventy times seven. Quite a lot by anyones standard (Matthew. 18:21-22). But to really grasp the significance of this encounter a person needs to understand a bit of the culture of the time. In the time of the disciples the religious leaders taught that you should forgive those who wronged you three times. After that you dont have to. You see, Peter thought he was being very righteous and had come up with an answer that Jesus would really be impressed with. But Jesus wasnt impressed. He basically was saying to Peter that he is missing the point of forgiveness. That forgiving someone was not about keeping score that is not truly forgiving from the heart. In fact, when Jesus said Seventy times seven he did not mean only up to 490 times. He was saying you keep on forgiving. This is the true character and heart of Jesus and God as well, because Jesus, God the Father and the Holy Spirit are one. Not just in being, but in character as well. This is part of the triune nature of the God relationship. Thats what he is like, thats who he is!
Blown their chances?
I have actually met people who truly believe they have just sinned too many times for God to forgive them. They feel theyve blown their chances with God and of being saved. Once again the life and actions of Jesus speak volumes. Peter, Jesus trusted friend and companion, publically rejects and denounces Jesus three times (Matthew 26:34, 56, 69-75). Yet Jesus simply reaches out to Peter, forgives him and loves him. I believe in many ways that was a significant turning point in Peters life. He went on to become a powerful and faithful follower of Jesus and leader of the church.
Another amazing example of the true forgiveness of God is that while in excruciating agony and dying on a cross, Jesus totally forgives those who have done this appalling deed, while they are still standing there mocking him. Think about it for a minute. That is an unbelievable, truly divine, show of love and forgiveness. A type that can only be found in God himself.
Contrary to the popular belief of many non-believers and believers alike, God is not out to get you. He is not this big, angry, unapproachable Being sitting in heaven just waiting to zap you as soon as you step out of line. That is not God. That is in fact actually what we humans are like. That is a part of our character. It is we, not God, who keep score on those that do us wrong. It is we, not God, who stop forgiving and break off relationships.
We can find numerous examples in the Bible where God expresses his love for us and his desire for us to be with him. How often does he not promise that he will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Gods desire is that not one should be lost, but that all should be saved. The real beauty is that God and Jesus did not just say these nice sounding words, but that they lived out everything they said through the life and example of Jesus.
So, does God give second chances? The answer is No – God will not only give us a second chance, but He will continue to forgive us. Talk freely to God about your sins, failures and hurts. Focus on him – not your shortcomings. God isnt counting or keeping score. He will continue to love us, forgive us, walk with us and hold onto us, no matter what.
It is not every day that you will find someone who will give you a second chance let alone someone who will give you a second chance every day! But in Jesus, you will find both.