Second Chance Cards

A few years after watching an episode of VeggieTales my family decided to start using "Second Chance Cards". They were laminated index cards with the words "Second Chance Card" written on them along with whatever decorations my children, my wife and I wanted to put on them. Originally designed for the kids, they were also adopted by me and my wife. They were created so that if our children got in trouble and were getting grounded or about to receive other punishment, they could go and get their cards and bring them to us and ask for forgiveness and a second chance. This would immediately negate all punishment as a result of whatever it was they did wrong. A condition that went with the cards, however, was that they could only use them once during a calendar month. This was big hit with the kids and for my wife and me. I liked them because it kept my children from suffering undue punishment for little things and I got to practice apologizing when I got angry and may have said some things I shouldn't have. The cards also gave the family the chance to remember that God also has given us a "Second Chance Card".

Many people, even devout Christians, often feel that they have have committed a sin, or sins, that are so great that even God cannot forgive them. They fear that they will be eternally punished and never get to spend a blessed eternal life with their Father God. They could never be so wrong. God through His Son, Jesus the Christ, has given us the ultimate Second Chance Card. This card only has one condition attached to it. We can use this special "card" anytime we choose, as long as we have a sincere heart! This "card" is called Grace!! And what a wonderful gift it is, to all of God's children. Grace negates all punishments that we deserve; "The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will He harbor his anger forever; He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him." (Psalm 103: 8-13). Imagine a life where someone loves us, no matter what we have done and what ever punishment we deserve for it will be forgiven and forgotten forever. Wow!

The Bible is full of people, just like you and me, who have been given second chances by God. Moses (murder), David (adultery, bad parent, murder), Jacob (theft of birthright, liar), Lot (lived wickedly in Sodom), Jonah (fled from God's assigned task, hated others), Peter and the Apostles (selfish and always misunderstood what Jesus what trying to teach them) and Saul (murder) were all given second chances by God and they went on to become some of the greatest leaders and spokesmen for God and for Jesus. They only thing God asks of us in return is a sincere desire to follow Him and a heart that is willing to repent.
God does not ask for perfection from us. He gave us Grace, our "Second Chance Card", while we are still sinners; "But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5: 8). How awesome is that? "Give thanks to the LORD, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done. Sing to Him, sing praise to Him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always." (Psalm 105: 1-4)

Thank you God for giving me a Second Chance, and a Third Chance, and etc... I know I don't deserve it. Thank you for your never ending love for me and your bountiful grace. In Jesus holy name, Amen.