God's Second-Chance Men
The Word of God has a great deal to say about second chances. This does not mean that any man is to have a second chance of salvation, after death has removed him from earth's scene. The Bible distinctly says in John 8, "If ye die in your sins, whither I go ye cannot come, and if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sin." This shows us that the issues of eternity are settled in this life.
But there is a glorious sense in which there is a second chance for men, or rather we should say, for believers. Abraham, who lied and was willing to hide behind the honor of his wife, was graciously brought back to a place of usefulness and blessing. Jacob, the swindler, became a prince with God. Aaron, who officiated at the worship of the golden calf, was anointed as God's high priest, a type of Christ. Moses, the murderer, was met by God at the burning bush, and was used to display the power of God before Egypt, and to lead the chosen people to Canaan. Jonah, who ran away from God, was overtaken and brought safely to the field of his ministry to be an instrument of the power and grace of God. David, the murderer and adulterer, became the author of the Psalms which speak more often of the coming Messiah than any other portion of the Old Testament.
The same blessing of a second chance is to be found in the New Testament. Peter denied Christ, but was chosen to preach at Pentecost and in the house of Cornelius. Paul, in great willfulness, went up to Jerusalem and was arrested at the temple just before he was about to offer a blasphemous sacrifice, but later was made the channel for the glorious prison Epistles.
All these examples show us that God's Word spoken through the prophet, "I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm" (Joel 2:25), is true. No person who reads these lines need fear that God will not receive him. Our Lord has said (John 6:37), "Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out." We may be certain that He will receive us at the moment that we come, for all His workings with us are on the principle of grace. He knows our old nature and has said that it is incurably sick (Jer. 17:9). Therefore, while providing the way of fellowship in grace, He writes to us "that ye sin not." Nevertheless, He has provided a way whereby fellowship might be constantly maintained through our risen Advocate, the Lord Jesus Christ, who knows our frame and remembers that we are dust.
1. How is the Christian is suppose to treat his neighbor?
2. How does Matthew 18: 21-35 teach us about this type of forgiveness?
3. In what way does this concept inform us about justice?
