ON CHRISTIANITY

DEAR REV. GRAHAM: Does God ever give us a second chance? I’ve made a lot of dumb mistakes in the last few years, and I know I need to get on a different road. But sometimes I wonder if God has given up on me, and nothing is ever going to change.

— K.Y. DEAR K.Y.: God not only gives us a second chance (as you put it) — but He wants to give us that second chance. Let this verse from the Bible sink deeply into your mind and heart: “But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love” (Nehemiah 9:17).

Do you remember Peter, who was one of Jesus’ closest disciples? As Jesus’ enemies grew closer, Peter boldly announced that even if everyone else abandoned Jesus, he never would. But after Jesus was arrested, Peter was asked by some bystanders if he was one of Jesus’ followers, and he forcefully denied it — three times. Afterward, the Bible says, Peter “went outside and wept bitterly” (Luke 22:62).

But instead of fleeing or renouncing his belief in Jesus, Peter rejoined the other disciples — and after His resurrection, Jesus not only forgave him but commissioned him to join the other disciples in spreading the Gospel. Later Peter forcefully declared, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

Don’t be a slave to the past, and don’t believe the devil’s lie that God doesn’t love you. Instead, by a simple prayer of faith ask Christ to come into your life. Then make it your goal to strengthen your relationship with Him every day, as you pray and read God’s Word and learn from other believers. Your life will never be the same.