158 chances to get it right

God allows second chances.

It's easy to say, but when a period of one's life makes one require a third, fourth, or one hundredth chance, the belief dims. Could God really still love me after another screw-up? I don't deserve another chance--if I were God, I would have fired me from myself by now. Yet here I am, awake, myself, fully aware of the sin I committed yesterday yet still having one more chance to try again.


"I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgement; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire." (Matt. 5.22)


Check--count me liable for all three. Times 20.

But God refuses to give up on me. Why? I'm nothing worth saving. Instead of grumbling about what an idiot I am, God simply says "I love you; I forgive you."

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 Jn. 1.9)


And Jesus doesn't get an attitude; he doesn't say "Get with the program already! I died for that sin--stop it!"

"But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." (1 Jn. 2.1)


I have 158 more chances to get it right. God graciously, gladly, and in love gives me every single one of those chances, plus more. Am I willing to take him up on this offer? Am I willing to rise every morning and accept another chance of victory?

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies are new every morning." (Lam. 3.22)