{"id":31615,"date":"2022-09-10T15:37:23","date_gmt":"2022-09-10T20:37:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/god-is-not-a-god-of-second-chances\/"},"modified":"2022-09-10T15:37:23","modified_gmt":"2022-09-10T20:37:23","slug":"god-is-not-a-god-of-second-chances","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/god-is-not-a-god-of-second-chances\/","title":{"rendered":"God Is Not a God of Second Chances"},"content":{"rendered":"
chuttersnap photo – Unsplash <\/p>\n

Why the gospel is better than a reboot on life<\/strong><\/h2>\n

By Aaron Wilson<\/em><\/p>\n

In our polarized culture it\u2019s rare to find a spiritual phrase the population broadly approves of. Nevertheless, the popular clich\u00e9, \u201cGod is a God of second chances,\u201d seems to be one doctrine on which many agree.<\/p>\n

A quick Google search of the phrase links to speeches of politicians, sound bites from talk shows, and clips from films.<\/p>\n

Everyone who says they even vaguely believe in God seems to find common ground around the belief that He gives people a second chance.<\/p>\n

But does this proverbial statement reflect the gospel? Here are a few reasons why new life in Christ differs from a second chance and why Christians should be careful embracing a hope that\u2019s built around the latter.<\/p>\n

How many attempts are needed to get right with God?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

A second-chance gospel reveals half of the good news\u2014the half that says Jesus died for sins. The fact that God is merciful is a beautiful truth. But if Jesus only<\/em> died to forgive sins, humanity is still in trouble.<\/p>\n

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What\u2019s missing from this understanding is the imputed righteousness Jesus credits to believers\u2014a righteousness that leaves nothing to chance.<\/p>\n

Whereas a second-chance gospel may declare that Jesus erases sin, it also implies He leaves behind an empty spiritual ledger and a morally neutral heart.<\/p>\n

This belief promises fresh hope by saying \u201cGod gives infinite chances,\u201d but underneath carries the depressing message \u201cGod forgives; now the rest is up to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

This thinking waters down the authentic gospel in two ways. First, it insinuates man isn\u2019t helpless regarding righteousness\u2014that he only needs a clean slate and a second chance.<\/p>\n

Second, it teaches Christ\u2019s sacrifice isn\u2019t effective\u2014that mankind still needs to \u201cget things right\u201d via a vague number of reboots, much like Bill Murray in the movie Groundhog Day<\/em>.<\/p>\n

A Second Chance at the Impossible<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Think of it as a kindergartner taking a calculus test. Because he\u2019s only 5, the little tyke bombs the test and receives a bright red \u201cF\u201d atop his page.<\/p>\n

Now, according to a second-chance gospel, the teacher might show mercy, tear up the child\u2019s exam, and forgive his failure. But the same lad will not rejoice when a fresh, identical test is placed in front of him for a second attempt.<\/p>\n

While some Mensa-in-waiting kindergartner might pass calculus, there\u2019s zero chance a fallen human can pass the test of God\u2019s law (Romans 3:10).<\/p>\n

And since there\u2019s zero chance humans will obey God perfectly, why would Christians spread news of a God of second chances?<\/p>\n

Is it really good news to get a second chance at the impossible?<\/p>\n

What sinners need\u2014and what Christ provides\u2014is Someone who can take the test on their behalf, once-and-for-all, and pass with flying colors.<\/p>\n

This is where a second-chance gospel misses the mark. It points people to a false hope in works-based religion where they can get their life in order if they only receive enough time and enough chances.<\/p>\n

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See also  What Churches Must Do to Reach Gen Z<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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But Christians don\u2019t have to earn redemption through a series of righteous reboots. Jesus secured our redemption through His life, death, and resurrection.<\/p>\n

And His perfection is forever credited to the believer\u2019s account.<\/p>\n

What About the Ninevites?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

But what about the Ninevites in the book of Jonah? Didn\u2019t they get a second chance? While this is often proclaimed as the takeaway from the book of Jonah, the overall biblical narrative reveals a different lesson.<\/p>\n

Look at Romans, for example. Writing about Abraham, Paul observes:<\/p>\n

\u201c<\/em>And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while still uncircumcised. This was to make him the father of all who believe but are not circumcised, so that righteousness may be credited to them also.<\/em> (Romans 4:11).\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

This may be Scripture\u2019s clearest verse tying together the thread of salvation between saints in both testaments. Old Testament believers weren\u2019t saved by sacrifices (Hebrews 10:4) or circumcision (Romans 3:30).<\/p>\n

Instead, those outward signs pointed beyond themselves to saving faith in God. The believing Ninevites, then, didn\u2019t get an empty, clean slate; they received the imputed righteousness of Jesus as a seal, just as believers do today.<\/p>\n

If we cap off the account of Jonah with a second-chance ending, we plague the Ninevites with the burden of maintaining flawless righteousness after their repentance. Of course, they couldn\u2019t achieve this righteousness any more than we can today.<\/p>\n

No wonder Jonah\u2019s complaint doesn\u2019t have anything to do with fresh starts. He doesn\u2019t lament, \u201cFor I knew you are a God of second chances!\u201d No, he cries, \u201cFor I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful\u201d (Jonah 4:2).<\/p>\n

Grace and mercy. It is for these cross-bought gifts, not for the hope of a second chance, in which believers can draw near to God in confidence.<\/p>\n

A More Excellent Way<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Thanks to Christ\u2019s imputed righteousness, believers shouldn\u2019t be enticed by a form of legalism that offers an ever-present refresh button on life.<\/p>\n

Rather, we should proclaim with vigor that our Savior\u2019s righteousness is perfectly sufficient for all time.<\/p>\n

Through Calvary, God didn\u2019t grant a second chance to humans; He provided a holy Substitute\u2014the second Adam\u2014who got it right the first time on our behalf.<\/p>\n

How reassuring it is to know God leaves nothing to chance, most notably the salvation of His children? In light of this knowledge, let\u2019s declare that the gospel gives new life, something that\u2019s infinitely better than a second chance.<\/p>\n

AARON WILSON (<\/strong>@AaronBWilson26<\/strong>)<\/strong> is associate editor for<\/em> Facts & Trends.<\/p>\n

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Dig Deeper at Lifeway.com<\/div>\n
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New Life in Christ: What Really Happens When You’re Born Again and Why It Matters<\/h2>\n

Steven J. Lawson<\/p>\n

FIND OUT MORE <\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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What Do Pastors Believe About the End Times? What Do Pastors Believe About the Book of Revelation? 3 Ways to Reach Non-Religious People in Your Community <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

chuttersnap photo – Unsplash Why the gospel is better than a reboot on life By Aaron Wilson In our polarized culture it\u2019s rare to find a spiritual phrase the population broadly approves of. Nevertheless, the popular clich\u00e9, \u201cGod is a God of second chances,\u201d seems to be one doctrine on which many agree. A quick Google search of the … Continue reading “God Is Not a God of Second Chances”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-31615","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sermons"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31615","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31615"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31615\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31615"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31615"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31615"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}