A Second Chance

Scriptures: Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I appeal to you on the basis of love. (Philemon 1:8-9)

In his great novel, Les Miserables, French writer, Victor Hugo, presented the life of a peasant, Valjean, in the French Revolution era who became a thief for the sake of helping his starving sister and her children. Ever since then, his life was intertwined with the law enforcement.

After Valjean’s release from prison, he had to carry a yellow passport to indicate that he was an ex-convict. As a result, no one would take him in for this reason. That is, of course, until he met Bishop Myriel who took him in and provided him room and board. But, because of the hardship in life, he could not resist the temptation and stole silverwares from the Bishop. When caught by the police and brought before the Bishop for cross-examination, the Bishop claimed that those silverwares were meant to be gifts for Valjean. As a matter of fact, the Bishop claimed that Valjean actually forgot two other candlesticks.

Because of the Bishop, Valjean was given another opportunity in life. The hardship and bitterness that used to fill his life was replaced with mercy and kindness. He went on to become an entrepreneur who cared for the poor and his testimonies moved even the Inspector Javert who’s been hunting him down for trial in court. Javert eventually gave up his pursuit after Valjean.

This well-known story touched me deeply in more than one way. It impressed upon me the grace of God who not only forgave my sins, but also gave me a sonship that I do not deserve. More than a relationship, He gave me opportunities after opportunities to know Him, to learn His way, and to grow to be like His Son Jesus.

In many ways, we are just like Valjean, having to struggle with life and failing every challenge that comes our way. Every struggle and challenge adds to the burden of life. The bag of burden grows larger and heavier as each day goes by. Coping with them demands more than what we have in ourselves. We are overwhelmed and need a break! We need a change of direction in life! We need help!

God sees our miseries. In Christ Jesus He reached out to us and gave us that second chance we never deserved. This second chance is not a one-time favor that came at the point of our conversion to Christ only. It is an on-going blessing that comes to us everyday. Every morning, as I wake up, I am reminded that this is a new day and God has given me a new opportunity to know Him deeper and to receive and share His love and grace more with others.

That is why the book of Philemon is one of my favorite books in the Bible for it’s a book about giving second chance, too. It was a letter from Apostle Paul to a man named Philemon about a runaway slave called Onesimus who used to work for Philemon. For some reason unexplained in the letter, he ran away from his master. By the grace of God, he met the Apostle Paul through whom he came to know Jesus and received Him as his personal Lord and Savior.

For a true repentant sinner as he was, Paul believed that he must face his past. So, Paul pleaded with Onesimus’ master Philemon for a second chance. It is interesting and thought provoking to realize that, though our Lord had given Onesimus a second chance in this life and in eternity, Paul would plead to Philemon to also give Onesimus a second chance.

Although Bible never told us what happened to Onesimus later on. Church history seems to indicate that Philemon did follow Paul advice and gave Onesimus the second chance he needed for toward the end of the first century, the Bishop for Colossian church was a man named Onesimus. Just as Paul said in his letter to Philemon, “Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.” (Philemon 1:11)

It’s pleasing to God that we become useful to Him and to people. I pray that God help us to realize that this starts from the second chance He has given us and goes on with the second chances we give to others!

Prayer Requests:
For whoever needs a second chance

Prayer:
Gracious Father, thank You for seeing us in our true conditions, miserable and lacking in every way. Thank you for the second chances You have given us in life. Please help us to be vessels of Your grace in sharing these second chances with others. We pray in the name of Christ Jesus, our Lord and Redeemer, Amen!