Forgiveness Provides A Second Chance!

January 9

Forgiveness Provides A Second Chance!

Confession opens up a second chance for you.  The good news is that confession can be followed by real forgiveness and a total cleansing of your life.  These ingredients are necessary for us to continue working on our New Year’s Resolutions as well as continue living a life that is healthy and holy.

Forgiveness provides a second chance!

When I slack off on my exercise goal or my diet goal or my networking goal or my spiritual discipline goal or my serving goal, it helps to confess my failure and experience forgiveness.  When I experience forgiveness in these areas, I find a second chance to re-engage in my goal.

Forgiveness provides a second chance!

My desire is for you is to grow in your trust in God’s promise to forgive you.  Let me begin with some of God’s promises from the Bible. 

First, God promises that we can be forgiven by our Heavenly Father because of the sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf. 

In Ephesians 1:7 Paul writes; “In him (Jesus) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace…”  Jesus died so we can be forgiven and so we can have an abundant life now and eternal life in heaven.

Second, God promises that forgiveness is possible not because I am deserving but because Jesus lived, died, and lived again. 

In Acts 10:43 we hear; “All the prophets testify about him (Jesus) that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”  When I place my trust/faith in Jesus as my Savior and Lord and ask Jesus to forgive my sins, Jesus will forgive me.

Third, God promises that Jesus has given us a sign that His forgiveness is real.    

In Matthew 26:28 Jesus says; “…for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”  When Jesus breaks the bread and blesses the cup of wine (what we know as Holy Communion), He reminds us that the wine is a symbol of His blood poured out for the forgiveness of our sin.  Holy Communion is a sign that Jesus is eager to forgive us. 

Fourth, God promises that forgiveness provides both a second chance and a lasting joy.

In Psalm 32 David writes; “Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.”  King David knows from personal experience that God’s forgiveness provides another chance and another chance and another chance.  David also knows that the assurance of God’s forgiveness and the covering of God’s love brings a deep and lasting joy in our heart, mind, and soul.

Fifth, God promises that forgiveness is something we can offer over and over again to other people.

In Matthew 18:21 we hear; “Then Peter came and said to him, ‘Lord, if my brother or sister sins against me, how often should I forgive?  As many as seven times?’”  Jesus’ answer regarding the frequency of offering forgiveness to other people is based on how often our Heavenly Father is willing to forgive you and me. 

In the Bible, the number “7” means “perfection” or “completeness” or “without end.”  In other words, there is no end to how often God is willing to forgive you.  Consequently, there should be no end to how often you are willing to forgive other people.    

Forgiveness provides a second chance!

Forgiveness provides a second chance in our relationship with Jesus, in our relationships with other people, and in our relationship with our self.  The reality is… 

+Each of us will fall short on our New Year’s Resolutions.  So, let’s forgive our failure and start again.

+Each of us will stumble in our commitment to read our Bible more or pray every day or serve the poor every month.  So, let’s forgive our failure and start again.

+Each of us will hesitate to work towards reconciliation in a relationship with another person.  So, let’s forgive their failure and start the work of restoration again.

Forgiveness provides a second chance!

We all need a second chance somewhere in our life.  Confessing why we need forgiveness and then experiencing the gift of forgiveness through Jesus provides another opportunity for us to grow into the kind of person Jesus dreams we will become.

When we experience the assurance of being forgiven, our hearts will be filled with happiness and joy and delight in the Lord. 

Take Delight In The Lord!

Doug