Bible Verses About Taking Risks
Everything in this life is a risk. You are given only two options. Take the risk and expect results or dont take a risk and expect nothing. Stop procrastinating! God uses people who are willing to get out of their comfort zone. He uses people who are willing to take risks. What risk are you facing?
A relationship risk, a witnessing risk, a family risk, a business risk, a job risk, a life decision, a medical risk. Whatever you are facing, know that the Lord is with you and He makes it abundantly clear that He will help you.
When you are called to step out in faith, realize that your God is greater than any problem. Be still for a second and remember who is in control.
Quotes
- Take the risk or lose the chance.
- If you want it, go for it. Take a risk. Dont always play it safe or youll die wondering.
- Great things never came from comfort zones.
- Better an oops than a what if.
Sometimes we make things far worse than what they really are.
One night after worshiping outside I decided to jump into the pool. At first, I was hesitant because I knew the water would be cold. I waited a while. I touched the water with my feet. Finally, I said enough is enough and I jumped in. Was it cold at first? Yes!
1. 2 Timothy 1:7 For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
2. John 14:27 Peace I leave with you My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled do not be afraid.
Dont miss out.
First John : 9 If We Confess Our Sins He Is Faithful And Just To Forgive Us Our Sins And To Cleanse Us From All Unrighteousness
Sometimes the hardest ones to forgive are ourselves. Its easier to forgive others than ourselves, but the truth is that we shouldnt stumble over things that are behind us. God forgives all of our sinsand all means alland then He goes on to cleanse us from all of our unrighteousness. So if God forgives us, how can we not forgive ourselves?
Why God Gives Us Second Chances
Scripture tells us we have a God who loves to give good gifts to His children . And the prophet Jeremiah, who was known as the weeping prophet because of the disappointments and heart break in his life, said this about the character of God:
Because of the Lords great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.They are new every morning
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Guest Post By Brian Ondracek
Brian has spent more than 20 years in Christian publishing providing leadership at companies such as Crossway Books, Tyndale House Publishers and Christianity Today. He has also been actively involved in his local church serving as a lay leader in various ministries over the years. He resides in Wheaton, Illinois with his wife and has two grown sons who are faithfully walking with Christ.
You And Me Ephesians : 1
All of us need a second chance, and God is willing to give it. Paul says it so well in his letter to the church at Ephesus.
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christby grace you have been saved and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
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Second Chance At The Impossible
Think of a kindergartner taking a calculus test. Because hes only 5, the little tyke bombs the test and receives an F atop his page. The teacher might show mercy, tear up his exam, and forgive his failure. But the lad will not rejoice when a fresh, identical test is placed in front of him for a second attempt.
While some Mensa-in-waiting kindergartner might pass calculus, theres zero chance a fallen human can pass the test of Gods law. As Scripture declares, None is righteous, no, not one . And since theres zero chance humans will obey God perfectly, why would Christians spread news of a God of second chances? Is it good news to get a second chance at the impossible?
However unintentionally, this mindset points people away from the true gospel to a false hope in works-based religion .
Thankfully, the gospel of Jesus proclaims the opposite. Sinners dont need a second chance we need a perfect substitute, one who gets it right the first time. Because of the forgiveness of sin and imputed righteousness, we dont have to earn redemption through a series of fresh chances. Jesus secured our redemption through his life, death, and resurrection . And his perfection is forever credited to the believers account.
Vague Number Of Reboots
What these phrases miss is the doctrine of imputed righteousnessthat Jesus takes the sins of believers and credits them with his perfect righteousness. A second-chance gospel often neglects this crucial teaching. It rightly declares Christs sacrifice erases the guilt of sin but tacitly teaches the gospel leaves behind an empty spiritual ledger and a morally neutral heart. It promises fresh hope by saying God gives second chances, but underneath carries the depressing message God forgives now the rest is up to you.
This thinking waters down the authentic gospel in two ways. First, it insinuates man isnt helpless regarding righteousnesshe only needs a clean slate and a second chance. Second, it teaches Christs sacrifice isnt truly effectivemankind still needs to get things right via a vague number of reboots.
Without the imputed righteousness of Christ, perfection would still be demanded of us. Thus the phrase Todays the first day of the rest of your life might lead us to answer Well, here we go again.
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Thief On The Cross Luke 2: 39
There may be no greater need for a second chance than when you have spent your living for yourself and come face to face with death for the things you have done. The two men crucified on either side of Jesus were those kind of men. They lived their lives in such a way that they were deserving of death. And so they hung, nailed to a cross, next to Jesus. One of the men joined the crowds and soldiers in mocking Christ. But the other realized who it was being crucified next to him and, with death nearby, asked for mercy. This simple act of faith, this humble request was heard and answered as Christ promised him a second chance in eternity.
People Of Second Chances
Just as God is in the business of giving second chances, He wants His people to do the same. In fact, Jesus explains that forgiving others is tied to our own forgiveness: “But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” . Ephesians 4:32, likewise, exhorts: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
God’s people are to offer second chance opportunities because they have each been given the ultimate second chance in Christ. Proverbs even speaks of the virtue of unlocking second chances, saying, “It is to one’s glory to overlook an offense” .
The Apostle Peter once came to Jesus and asked how many times he should forgive someone who sins against him. Surely seven times would be enough, Peter reasoned. But Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” Jesus is not saying that holding someone accountable is wrong. Rather, he is employing figurative language to convey the idea of continual forgiveness. God’s people are to a give second chance as often as someone truly seeks it.
This raises a very real concern, however. It can be confusing to discern the difference between offering continual second chances to a person and reconciling with them.
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What Do You Say About Second Chances
As Christians, we know the Gospel changes people, but do we believe changed people can, in turn, change other people, communities, or even nations? We love the redemption stories of Moses and Paulboth of whom had blood on their handsbut are we willing to challenge the cultural barriers that would make us think twice before welcoming either of those men into our lives today?
What do you say about second chances?
If you’re ready to join us in breaking barriers and unlocking brighter futures for the approximately 70 million Americans with a criminal record, to learn how you can get involved in Second Chance Month.
A Second Resurrection Allows A First Chance At Salvation
As we saw in Hebrews 6:4-6Hebrews 6:4-6 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again to repentance seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.American King James Version×and Hebrews 10:26-29Hebrews 10:26-29 For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose you, shall he be thought worthy, who has trodden under foot the Son of God, and has counted the blood of the covenant, with which he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and has done despite to the Spirit of grace?American King James Version×, the Scriptures are plain about the fact that all people have only one chance at salvation. However, a second chance at life is not the same as a second chance at salvation. Coming to life again will enable those brought to life in the second resurrection to have their only chance for salvation.
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A False Sense Of Security
These Bible texts might lull some people into taking second chances for granted and thinking that if they toss out a deathbed prayer at the last minute, theyve got their bases covered. Most likely they will not care anymore, by that point, because willful sin tends to sear the conscience.
Hebrews 10:26-27 NKJV states, For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.
He Is Not The God Of Second Chances
In our polarized culture its rare to find a spiritual phrase that receives broad agreement from a large cross section of the population. Nevertheless, the popular cliché God is a God of second chances seems to be one thing on which many agree.
The second-chance message reaches deep inside and outside the church. A quick Google search of the phrase links to speeches of politicians, soundbites from talk shows, and montages from animated Christian films. Everyone, no matter his or her view of Jesus, seems to find common ground around the belief that God gives second chances.
This theology also comes packaged around other modern sayings, including:
- Todays the first day of the rest of your life.
- God can give you a fresh start.
- Todays a new opportunity to get things right.
- God is a God of infinite chances.
These clichés may sound harmless on the surface, but we should weigh their biblical merit. Is a second-chance gospel sufficient, or even helpful, for communicating the real message of Christ?
Its not. A second-chance gospel disguises the good news by only revealing half of itthe half that says Jesus died for sins. Dont get me wrong: its stunning God forgives sin. But if Jesus only died to forgive sin, humanity is still in trouble.
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Death Seems So Capricious
Mikes Photos/Pexels
God “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” . But considering the masses of humanity who have never even heard the name of Christ, many Christians have wondered if or how they would have a chance for salvation. We believe the Bible teaches that all will have a real chance through the often neglected doctrine of “resurrection of the dead” and God’s judgment .
Is there hope for the unbelieving person who rejected God’s calling and spurned His way of life? No, a person who has knowingly refused God’s calling and the way of life He reveals has only the lake of fire to look forward to, which will end his or her existence for eternity . However, there is another type of unbelieverone who never had the opportunity to choose or reject God’s way of life. Many sincere people believe that we must “accept Jesus” in this life or we are lost forever. But what about the billions of people who have lived out their lives without ever hearing the name of Christ and therefore had no chance at salvation ? Is it fair for God to destroy them forever when they never really had an opportunity to understand His truth?
We Serve A God Of Second Chances Because Jesus Taught It
We can tend to live by a three strikes youre out motto when it comes to others offenses toward us. But Jesus was aware of our tendency to blow people off, or cut them off altogether if they offended us more than once or twice.
Peter asked Jesus how many times he should forgive the same person who offended him. He probably thought he was being extra generous when he asked Jesus if he should forgive up to seven times. But Jesus, the God of a second chance, told Peter: not seven times, but seventy-seven times . Jesus was teaching we must forgive our offender an unlimited amount of times, because thats the way our Heavenly Father has forgiven us.
Jesus taught that our forgiveness for others should never run out, because thats the way He forgives. As our example, He is a God with unlimited amounts of grace, mercy, and forgiveness. And that definitely means Hes the God of a second chance.
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Second Chances In The Bible
Both the Old and New Testaments bear witness to a forgiving God. Think of Moses, who murdered a man Jonah, who fled from God’s command David, who committed adultery and had a man murdered Rahab, who was a prostitute in Jericho and Peter, who denied even knowing Jesus after spending three years with Him . Each of theseand dozens of other men and women like them in Scripturestand as monuments of God’s grace .
None stands taller than Jesus, of course, who said, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” . His ministry, he said, would be marked by fresh starts and second chances for those whom many view as outcasts.
And that’s exactly what we see when we examine Jesus’ life. We see how He redeemed and elevated people others convicted and condemned. We see that He professed the unfaltering power of redemption in their lives.
Zacchaeus the tax collector, for example, was considered a sinner by his neighbors . When Zacchaeus shows he has changed and is making amends by giving possessions to the poor, Christ responds by saying, “Today salvation has come to this house.” When the criminal dying on the cross next to Jesus asks for Him to remember him, Christ responds by saying He will see him in paradise .
But Jesus doesn’t envision His forgiveness stopping with Him.
What Does The Bible Say Aboutsecond Chances
The Israelites were given repentance many times when they sinned against God and God himself even asked them to return to him. My question is this, why werent Adam and Eve given another chance when they sinned against him in the Garden of Eden? Werent they the first children created by him with his own hands and his breath given to them?
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Dry Bones And Salvation
Ezekiel’s ‘dry bones’ vision tells us quite a bit regarding the Eternal’s great salvation plan for man. In the 37th chapter God’s spirit comes upon Ezekiel and takes him, in vision, to a valley full of bones. After the prophet walks around a bit God asks him something of a rhetorical question. The question is “Can these bones live?” In other words, are the people represented by the bones gone forever?
Ezekiel is then commanded to preach to the bones and inform them that they will soon be brought back to life !
This is, of course, a prophecy of a future resurrection from the dead. Who are these dry bones? God tells Ezekiel they are “the whole house of Israel” . They symbolically cry out that their hope is lost and that they feel permanently cut off.
Ezekiel is told to respond to the hopelessness of the bones by saying they will be made alive again and live in the land of Israel !
The good news is that God does offer a “second chance,” of sorts, for the countless billions of humans who, in this life, never understood the gospel and were never converted! In his wisdom he has set aside a time where he will resurrect back to a physical life the vast majority of humanity. It is at that time that he will open up their minds to comprehend his truth, repent and have a full chance at salvation.