Getting a 2nd Chance

When I was just out of College, my future boss asked me to housesit his home for a month while he and his family were out of town. I’ve house sat his house before, so it was a no-brainer for me to do this.

Well, the month was going along rather nicely, no real problems. Until one night, I got this great idea to throw a little mini-party at his house. Actually, mini-party is too strong of a word. It was more like a gathering of a few friends. Anyways, we were all of age so alcohol was served. Despite this, I felt that no one was out of control. As the night wrapped up, 1 person ended up sleeping over as he had a bit too much to drink and drive.

Well, in the middle of the night, I’m awaken by someone throwing up in the bathroom. So I go in there and it is my friend. I helped him clean up and such and then go back to bed – never think much about it the rest of the month and afterwards. My friend and his family returned home and I was done house siting.

Shortly after my friend got home, he called me up and was quite direct with me as he asked me, “Did you throw a party at my house while I was gone?”. I said no, but I had a few friends over, etc. Then he asked if I served alcohol and if someone threw up. At first I denied it, but then he said that as he was in that particular bathroom, he noticed throw up on one of the walls that wasn’t cleaned up.

He must have been some sort of detective back in the day because he went on to talk about how the position of the throw up to the toilet bowl was in such a position that it must have been alcohol related.

At this point, I just decided to come clean and confess this. I was so embarrassed that I violated my friend’s trust. Later, I went to his house and apologized to his wife as well. It was truly humbling and, again, a bit embarrassing. I never thought I would be allowed to house sit my friend’s house again.

Well, I was wrong. He gave me a 2nd chance. I don’t think I house sat at my friend’s house for a whole month again, but I was definitely given the opportunity to watch over his house at least once more. That next time, I was motivated not to lose that trust or to blow that 2nd opportunity.

In January, we have been talking a lot about sex. Mainly, we have been talking about how to abstain from sexual activity and the importance of abstaining.

However, what if you have already gone too far? What if you haven’t waited til marriage? Are you condemned to hell or is there an opportunity for a 2nd chance? Can you, if you want too, begin anew?

Today, we are going to talk about 2nd chances and how you can start over, from this moment on.

Scripture

Romans 8:1 – “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”
1. Why is there no condemnation?

Because Christ died for our sins. We are free from all our past struggles and mess ups because of what Christ did on the Cross. Not only are you free from sin, but in Christ, there is another benefit.

2 Corinthians 5:17 – "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation: the old has gone, the new has come!"
1. What does it mean to be “in Christ”?
2. What is the benefit of being “in Christ”?
3. What does that mean?

You can begin anew in Christ! The old person that we used to be and the old things that we used to do – whether it is in regards to sex, living a reckless lifestyle, or just simplying living a life without God – is gone. It has taken a permanent hiatus. When that old person leaves, Christ in you, creates a whole new being.

Too often, when we mess up – whether it is with sex or any other kind of sinful deed – we are made to feel like the worst person on earth and that you are a terrible person. However, no matter what you have done in the past, it is forgiven as Christ died on the cross for each and every one of us. Again, NO MATTER WHAT YOU HAVE DONE, Christ has forgiven you.

Application

So, we are free in Christ and our past mess ups are behind us. However, to fully grasp hold of this forgiveness and freedom, we have to take a role. We have to take action.

You see, God has freely given you forgiveness and a new found life, but unless you take hold of it and turn to God for guidance and direction, you will just find yourself back in the same mess you’ve been in times before.

Matthew 6:33 – "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

Why do we need to seek God?

Proverbs 2:7-11 – “He hold victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair – every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.”

1. Who holds the victory?
2. What will happen when you walk with God?

When you begin a relationship with God, you are a new creation and you will walk with wisdom and be able to make right decisions.

For those of you who have already walked down the path in sexual activity, you can choose to start over and begin anew. You can choose to save the rest of your life for you future spouse. To help you do that, you can choose to begin that relationship with Christ so that He will help you walk with wisdom and be able to fend off temptation. If you already have a relationships with Christ, you can choose to now start following seeking his wisdom.

Actually, this is bigger than just the sex issue. If you want a 2nd chance at life, a new beginning and a fresh start, turn your life over to Christ. He wants to help you walk down the path to true life and fulfillment. Not the life we think leads to fulfillment by doing this and that, but the life that leads to true fulfillment. Remember, Christ said, “I have come to give you life to the full”

Will you take it or will you continue to walk down this path that leads to death?

The choice is yours, but know that God is always there, desiring to walk through life with you, helping you along the way.

Remember, when you begin a relationship with Christ, the old person you once were is no longer. You are a new creation living a life full of potential. It won’t matter what you did in the past. It only matters what a great and new life you have to look forward to for the future with God as your guide.

Pray