A Second Chance

Thomas A. Edison was working on a unique new invention called a "light bulb." 
It took Edison and a whole team of men 24 straight hours to put just one together.  When Edison was finished with one light bulb, he gave it to a young boy helper, who nervously carried it up the stairs for him.  Step by step, the young man cautiously watched his hands, obviously fearful of dropping such a priceless piece of work. 

Then just as he was approaching the top of the stairs, it happened….. 
the poor young fellow DROPPED THE BULB!  He watched in horror as the prototype crashed helplessly to the floor into pieces.  It took the entire team of men another twenty-four hours to make another bulb.  Finally, it was completed!  Exhausted and ready for a break, Edison was ready to have his bulb carried up the stairs.  He turned and handed it to the SAME young boy who had dropped the first one!*

Now, that is true forgiveness!

God also has a unique creation: mankind.  He has given a precious commodity to His creation called " LIFE."  He created men and women to find ultimate fulfillment in their lives in doing the will of God.  Yet, from the very first couple that He created – Adam and Eve – men and women have continued to "mishandle" that which God has entrusted to them.  "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).  Despite our BEST efforts in handling life carefully, we all "fumble"; 
we either transgress or fall short of the will of God in our lives.

But God wants to give US a second chance!  The opportunity for a second chance came at a tremendous price.  God sent His Son Jesus to live and to die as a man in order to "pay the price" for our redemption.  When Jesus died on the cross, He took our sins upon Himself, that YOU and I might be forgiven, and have a second chance 
(1 Peter 2:24).

Now, THAT is true forgiveness!

This forgiveness is available to all who will accept it on His terms:  Forgiveness can be enjoyed by those who will place their faith in God (Hebrews 11:6), repent of their sins (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized (immersed) in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins (Acts 2:38).  The Apostle Paul described the appropriate response to the sacrificial death of Christ with these words:  "Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so WE also should walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:3-4). 

                Newness of life!   -   Forgiveness!   -   A second chance!

THESE are the things that God wants to give US.  And God will CONTINUE to forgive us as we CONTINUE to strive to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7).

Now that is TRUE forgiveness!  And, it is available to YOU.  Will you accept?

God bless you. 

David A. Sargent, Minister 

Church of Christ at Creekwood 
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama  36695

* James Newton (adapted)

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