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Does God ever give us a second chance, even if we've really messed up our lives?

By Billy Graham, Tribune Content Agency on

Q: Does God ever give us a second chance, even if we've really messed up our lives? Or does He just give up on us? I hope not, although I can't blame Him if He does, at least in my case. -- W.R.

A: God is the God of the second chance -- and the hundredth chance, and the thousandth chance! No matter how rebellious and sinful we've been, He always stands ready to forgive us and welcome us home if we truly repent and commit our lives to Jesus Christ.

Do you remember Jesus' story about the son who rebelled against his father? (We usually call this the parable of the prodigal son, and you can find it in Luke 15:11-32.) This son took his money and left home, going as far from his father as he could get. He ignored everything he'd been taught, and lived a life of pleasure and immorality. But then his money gave out and all his so-called "friends" abandoned him, and he almost starved.

Finally, however, he came to his senses. He realized how foolish he'd been, and he swallowed his pride and started home. But would his father receive him -- or would he reject him, as he deserved? To his surprise, his father ran to welcome him, fully forgiving him and restoring him as his son.

 

Don't take your sin lightly; it has cost you far more than you realize. But God still loves you; He loves you so much that He sent His only Son into the world to give His life for you. Don't let another day go by without Him, but turn to Christ and thank Him for forgiving you and making you His child forever. Then God will say, "This son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found" (Luke 15:24).

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(Send your queries to "My Answer," c/o Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C., 28201; call 1-(877) 2-GRAHAM, or visit the Web site for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association: www.billygraham.org.)


(c)2017 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.

 

 

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