The creator of the universe is also the God of second and third chances. Although the Lord gives us multiple chances, we must also realize the Lord’s patience will run out at some time. As we go about our daily life on this earth, we are given chance after chance to come to faith, repent, and humble ourselves before God. When we die and move into eternity, what we have done in this lifetime determines our eternity to be heaven or hell.
Something about multiple chances with the Lord speaks to His love and long-suffering for us, His creation. What will you do with the second chances the Lord gives you? When I was in my mid-twenties, a drunk driver broadsided me at seventy miles per hour, yet I was unhurt. Although I was a person of faith, God gave me a second chance at life. I was awed and humbled by the experience. How have you experienced second chances from the Lord?
A Third Invitation
In the parable of the banquet, two invitations had gone out for people to come to a great wedding feast, and the people refused. But, in the king’s mercy, he sent out a third invitation. Matthew 22:4 “So the king sent other servants to tell them, ‘The feast has been prepared. The bulls and fattened cattle have been killed, and everything is ready. Come to the banquet!’ 5 But the guests he had invited ignored them and went their own way, one to his farm, another to his business.[1]
This third invitation gave more details. Only the rich could afford bulls and fattened cattle. The king had prepared an extravagant meal for the guests, yet they again refused and continued on with life’s everyday routines.
The parable compares the king to the Lord, and the invitation to the banquet is an invitation to place your faith in Jesus as your Savior. God has extravagant blessings if we will just turn and follow Him. Yet, even today, some people ignore Jesus’ gracious invitation and continue their daily routine.
God Gives Second Chances Freely
Scripture tells us we can start over. 1 John 1:9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.[2] God forgives and releases us from our failures as we confess our sins. This allows us to move forward with God’s blessings.
The Bible tells of people who failed and restarted. Elijah was so depressed that he prayed he would die. Later, the Lord brought him out of his depression with a new mission in life. Peter denied Jesus three times but was restored and became a great Apostle. Listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit so you don’t miss God’s invitations in life, especially the one to come to faith.
To learn more about the God of second and third chances, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/parable-of-the-banquet
[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Mt 22:4–5). Tyndale House Publishers.
[2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (1 Jn 1:9). Tyndale House Publishers.