Second Chances
Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.” (Matthew 18:21-22)
When someone hurts us, our first, fleshly instinct is to distance ourselves from that person. We don’t want to have anything to do with them. If we are really hurt, we might just walk away from the relationship entirely. If we look at how Jesus handled being hurt by His friends, we will see that giving up is not the course of action we should take.
Do you realize that Jesus never abandoned Simon Peter? If Jesus had been like us, He probably would have forsaken him. However, Jesus was not like you and me; He never abandoned His friend. He knew that Simon Peter had real promise in him. He knew that Simon Peter’s best days were ahead of him. He didn't give up on Simon Peter.
You might be ready to abandon your spouse, child or friend. God doesn't want you to concede. When you love like Jesus, you don't give up on your spouse, children or friends. You simply don't concede! Even if they have broken promises, and their broken promises have crashed your dreams; don't abandon them.
We are never more like Jesus than when we love someone else enough to give them a second chance. We should give those we love another opportunity, especially when they have wounded us, disappointed us, and maybe even damaged us. As we do, we need to lean on the power of Jesus to give them a second chance. After all, we can’t extend grace and mercy in our own power. We are only capable of doing that through the power of the Holy Spirit. By being gracious and merciful and giving second chances, you can love more like Jesus.
When someone hurts us, our first, fleshly instinct is to distance ourselves from that person. We don’t want to have anything to do with them. If we are really hurt, we might just walk away from the relationship entirely. If we look at how Jesus handled being hurt by His friends, we will see that giving up is not the course of action we should take.
Do you realize that Jesus never abandoned Simon Peter? If Jesus had been like us, He probably would have forsaken him. However, Jesus was not like you and me; He never abandoned His friend. He knew that Simon Peter had real promise in him. He knew that Simon Peter’s best days were ahead of him. He didn't give up on Simon Peter.
You might be ready to abandon your spouse, child or friend. God doesn't want you to concede. When you love like Jesus, you don't give up on your spouse, children or friends. You simply don't concede! Even if they have broken promises, and their broken promises have crashed your dreams; don't abandon them.
We are never more like Jesus than when we love someone else enough to give them a second chance. We should give those we love another opportunity, especially when they have wounded us, disappointed us, and maybe even damaged us. As we do, we need to lean on the power of Jesus to give them a second chance. After all, we can’t extend grace and mercy in our own power. We are only capable of doing that through the power of the Holy Spirit. By being gracious and merciful and giving second chances, you can love more like Jesus.
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6 Comments
Being that these are the words of the Lord Jesus one is to take it at face value. However in very abusive situation, one is to set boundaries that does not allow the other party to continue the abuse..
You can forgive, love, and move on from the abuser. Praying for them often to change their sinful ways.
May I be more loving, merciful and gracious like Jesus.
Jesus forgives us of every sin not just some. How many times have we hurt him and yet is mercy and grace fills our souls. Forgiveness is not an option, it is a commandment. We must forgive and extend that second chance. How many chances has Christ given us and he will continue.
JESUS is Lord. PRAISE The FATHER. GLORY TO GOD. Thank YOU
What do you do when the person that sexually assaulted you in a date rape because he had been drinking and I had been drinking for the first time ever at age 15! And things got way out of hand! I said no several time's and then gave up! And now this man is in a relationship with my big sister. She says he's has changed and knows God. And tells her he doesn't remember the assault that happened. And now my big sister and other family members are doubting it ever happened because their friends with him! After my big sister believed me all these year's. My sister and I use to be best friends. And I have had memories n flashbacks for 30 year's and therapy throughout the year's because of what happened. But not like I do now because he's now in a relationship with my big sister!
I wake up a lot through the nights and barely can eat. Stomach always in knots and sick to my stomach! Panic and anxiety a lot of the time!