Christianity Gives A Second Chance
Christianity gives a second chance. And that’s what sets it apart from other religions. Because life is complicated and we don’t always get things right the first time. So God gives us a spiritual do over through a walk of faith.
Christianity gives a second chance to change your life
If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and follow me.
If you’re headed in the wrong direction and need a course correction, Christianity offers a second chance to turn your life around.
But first you have to recognize the real problem. What the Bible calls sin. Essentially, sin is separation from God. Represented by the natural inclination to follow selfish desires and disobey God’s moral laws. However, Jesus Christ is the remedy when we willingly choose to follow him.
Jesus described it in a conversation with a religious leader named Nicodemus.
Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. (ESV. John 3:3)
Sound confusing? Nicodemus was certainly confused. Because Jesus was talking about a spiritual rebirth. And that takes place when we confess Jesus as Savior and follow him as Lord.
It doesn’t mean we are suddenly perfect and never sin again. Or the earthly consequences of sin goes away. But it does mean that in God’s eyes, our sin is wiped clean.
Christianity gives a second chance to change your mind
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (ESV, Romans 12:2)
Sin trashes our minds. Fills it with fear, anxiety, loneliness, mental disorders, traumatic memories, and more. Because our adversary, Satan, wants to keep us mentally oppressed. But God renews our minds.
Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand (ESV, Matthew 4:17)
The change begins when we repent. Hold on, it’s not the stereotypical, red faced pastor screaming condemnation and judgement.
The Greek word is mĕtanŏĕō, which means to think differently or reconsider. It’s an act of our will to consciously move in a new direction. The point is, God does not control or manipulate our decisions. We have to want His second chance offer. But He heals the demons in our minds when we turn it over to Him.
Christianity gives a second chance to change your heart
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds. (ESV, Jeremiah 17:9-10)
Well meaning people say we are basically good. And encourage us to follow our hearts. However, Scripture says our hearts are full of sin. And following it leads to eternal death. But through Jesus our hearts are changed when we seek his forgiveness of sin.
That’s when God goes to work.
And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. (ESV, Ezekiel 36:26-27)
The change is not always immediate. But it is dramatic as your character radically transforms into a new person. One with a new perspective, purpose, and sense of hope in a walk of faith.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (ESV, 2 Corinthians 5:17)
Chip Tudor is an author, blogger and professional writer. He publishes books, humorous Christian drama, and thought provoking blogs from a Christian worldview. This blog is originally published here.
