The God of Second Chances
Author: Curtis and Tina Norton
May 07, 2019
The God of Second Chances
Jesus answered him, “Truly I
tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” – Luke 23:43, NIV
When Whitney’s father died,
she grieved him deeply. She had become a Christian late in life and had prayed
for her father’s salvation faithfully every day. But now with him gone, she
felt hopeless.
“My one desire has always been
to see my father again in Heaven,” she explained to a friend. “Now, I’ll never
get that chance. He never showed any sign of repentance even in his final
days.”
Whitney’s friend gently
reminded her of the thief on the Cross with Jesus. “That man lived stubbornly
in his sin until the last moments of his life. Yet Jesus still welcomed him
into Heaven when he recognized his need for a Savior.”
Sometimes, loved ones start
their new beginning in the afterlife and they leave us with questions. We
wonder if they believed in Jesus. We wonder if they’ll be there to greet us
when we cross over.
God is the God of second
chances and new beginnings. He doesn’t reject anyone that comes to Him—even if
they seek Him only in the last moments of their life. Your loved one may have
turned to God and with their last breath echoed the cry of the thief on the
Cross, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” (Luke 23:42)
God, thank You for second chances and abundant grace. I
pray for those I love who may not have a relationship with You. Open their eyes
to their need. Woo them into a relationship with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
BACK