Good News about Second Chances


Are there second chances in life?

What do you think? Do you believe in second chances, the opportunity to be redeemed and make things right?

What do we think about second chances here in America? On one hand we love a redemption story, but on the other hand, people are condemned for mistakes they once made, and often can't outrun their previous reputation.

I believe in second chances, because my life is a second chance.

Once I lived in pursuit of my passions and selfish ambitions, and when those failed me -- when I failed to live up to who I thought I was, I was in a horrible depression and living with consistent suicidal thoughts.

Then, by the grace of God, I entered into a relationship with Allison,  who is now my wife. At the time, I wasn't pursuing the Lord, but He was pursuing me. I was a lost sheep, but Jesus was pursuing me:

So he told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. (Luke 15:3-7 ESV)


With Allison I started attending church again, at Hope Community Church in downtown Minneapolis. At Hope, I found hope again in life, when I heard faithful biblical preaching about the good news of the Gospel, that God has made a way in Christ Jesus for sinners to be saved.

On March 1st, 2015 I gave my life to Christ.
On May 31st, 2015 I was baptized to show outwardly the inward changes brought about because I had begun a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and had accepted Him as my Lord and Savior.
On July 30th, 2016 I married the love of my life, Allison Dawn, before God and my friends and family, with Pastor Steve presiding - one of the faithful, godly men who played a huge role in my conversion.

I have been a stubborn, stupid, foolish, and failing man my entire life. And that used to make me miserable. But now, even though I am still a stubborn fool, I am in Christ Jesus and my life has completely changed. I have hope where I once had despair. I have joy where I once had sorrow. I have love where I once had hate. But most importantly, I have life where I once had death.

It took much suffering and pain to bring me to the point where I was ready to give my life to Christ, and I wouldn't trade an ounce of it. I know that it was God's mercy in drawing me back to Himself.

I am living proof of second chances. God gives second chances through the life found in Jesus Christ.

This passage of Scripture is the proof that God gives second chances:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:17-21 ESV)

The knowledge that God loves, pursues, saves, and makes righteous His children is good news about second chances! All glory be to Christ!

Paul Stiver

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