Articles
Enjoying a “Do-Over”
We’ve all enjoyed the benefits of a “do-over.” Maybe when you were young and starting to learn how to play ball, the older kids graciously allowed you a “do-over” so you could get more practice. When you swung and missed the golf-ball again, the other golfers might have allowed you to try again (after they quit laughing at you). Maybe the drawing you have painstakingly crafted suffered an inexcusable mistake, after which you grabbed a fresh sheet of paper and started over.
“Do-overs” happen in more important moments, also. Remember the time you blurted out the wrong words while arguing with your wife, she forgave you and allowed you to try it again. Maybe the time you forgot to turn in the paper that was 25% of your grade, your teacher allowed you an extra weekend to get it done with no penalty. What about the time you yelled at one of your kids, only to later find out it was really your own fault and they forgave you when you apologized for jumping to conclusions.
Still again, “do-overs” can be even more important and grave. How unbelievable is it that God would send His Son, His perfectly righteous Son, to die for our sins so we might get a “do-over?” We walk away from God pursuant of sin, insulting His righteousness and holiness for the sake of some unrighteous fun. We turn our backs on a God who loves us when we decide to rebel and live on our own terms. We prove our unworthiness when we live as if He is unworthy of our attention, love, and obedience.
No matter how far we wander from God, God leads us home. No matter how deep we dig our own graves, God is willing to resurrect us from it. No matter how ugly we get in His holy presence, He is willing to wash us and make us clean when we are baptized into Christ. God is willing to make us pure, holy, and perfect once again. God is willing to erase our debt and absolve our guilt. God is willing to give us a “do-over.”
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5.17).
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1.9).
“For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him” (Psalm 103.11-13).
This is the time of year when we think about starting over. We renew commitments to gyms, relationships, and resolutions. While we think over our recommitments, let’s recommit ourselves to Him. He has allowed us to start over. Let’s start over with Him. Enjoy God’s “do-over.”
