Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love. (Micah 7:18 ESV)
Second Chances and Love
Micah claims that God has steadfast love. If God only loved when His people are worthy, God’s love would be responsive, not steadfast. If God only loved when He wanted to love, God’s love would be fickly, not steadfast. If God only loved up to a certain point, God’s love would be reasonable, not steadfast. If God only loved after God’s people proved themselves, God’s love would be like our love, not steadfast.
God’s Love and Second Chances are tightly woven together. God gives second chances because He loves. He loves so much that He gave up His only begotten Son. (John 3:16) Second chances are the main way that God displays love to His people. He forgives, making us his people. He forgives, causing second chances. He forgives, because He loves.
It is not difficult to give second chances to the people (or situations) that we love. Notice how many of Paul’s love descriptors in I Corinthians 13 are connected to second chances.
Patience causes second chances. Second chances happen because of a lack of arrogance. Second chances are a prime example of not being rude. Second chances are the result of not insisting on one’s own way. When we bear all things, we offer second chances. When we hope all things, we hope for second chances. When we endure all things, second chances result.
And as love never ends… both the love we receive from God, and the love we extend towards Him and other people… then second chances are what we see, experience, enjoy, and spread around.
Love and second chances to together.
Take the love God grants us.