Accept One Another: Devotions From Time of GraceSample

Grace Means Second Chances

I don't play golf competitively or for money, and that's a good thing. I'm just not that good. The duffers I play with will, after smirks and some appropriate remarks, occasionally give me a mulligan after a particularly horrible swing.

Jesus Christ has paid for the ultimate do-over. Even though we will be sinners till the day we die, his grace means that he has chosen to love us unconditionally. It means that every day we can start fresh, for his mercy is new every morning.

It means that his Father, like the father in his parable of the prodigal son, is a giver of second (and more) chances: "While [the son] was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him" (Luke 15:20). Isn't it a great feeling to know with certainty that the forgiving Father's arms are around you right now, and will be tomorrow as well? When your heart is broken and repentant, can you believe that God actually runs to hug you?

P.S. People who know that they have been forgiven by grace are now invited to show that same mercy to the fools and sinners around them.