Getting a second chance at life is something many of us have desired at some point in our lives. Reaching out for that second chance seems to be one of the most difficult gestures for us to do. I don’t know if it’s because we don’t want to admit that we totally messed up life, or fear keeps us from grabbing a hold of such a precious opportunity. I discovered a second chance at life in a relationship with Jesus Christ. We try to make life so complicated but the simple truth, I have found, is that there is a savior in heaven just waiting to give you a second chance at a new life. I serve a God of many chances. I can attest to that personally and I am thankful that God doesn’t give us only one chance to have a right relationship with Him.
Being born again means a new beginning, old things have passed away all things are made new: A second chance to make things right with God and others. Second chances aren’t about the past but about the future; however, the past serves as a great teacher and reminder for us not to make the same mistakes over and over expecting a different outcome, which is the definition of insanity. Second chances are about making the future bright by healing from past hurts, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Cor. 2:17 NKJV).
I want to talk about Moses and how God gave him a second chance to fulfill the call He had on his life: To lead the nation of Israel out of their bondage in Egypt. As Moses went to break up a fight between two Hebrews, the day after he murdered an Egyptian, one of the Hebrews asked him, “Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you intend to kill me as you killed the Egyptian” (Ex. 2:14 NKJV).
At that moment, Moses realized that his murderous act had been found out and fearing for his life he fled to the land of Midian where he hid until God, forty years later, called him out to return to Egypt to fulfill his life’s calling, “And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So, he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed. Then Moses said, “I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not burn” (Ex. 3:2, 3 NKJV).
Moses continued to argue with God to no avail and finally giving in Moses returns to Egypt. Have you been arguing with God? If so, I want you to know you can’t win. I found it is best to surrender your life to Him putting your future in His capable hands. He will certainly put you on the right path for a glorious opportunity at a new life.
Have you been feeling Jesus tugging at your heart and you want to cry out for that second chance, but you have refused to do so? It’s so easy to do: Repent of your sins and ask the Lord Jesus to forgive you of your sins then ask Jesus into your heart to stay.
When you do that you will instantly experience the weight of sin, guilt, and shame being lifted off your shoulders, and experience the Lord’s joy flowing over you as if you were standing under a waterfall. After such a life changing experience, you will want to tell everybody about your new life in Christ; while running and shouting glory halleluiah I am born again. I felt that way after I surrendered my life to Christ and I still do; I am so thankful for a second chance for life!
If you have not surrendered your life to Christ, but you feel Him tugging at your heart reach out, right now, don’t wait, and grab a hold of a second chance at life.
God bless,
Pastor, Jim