The God of Second Chances (Day Twenty-seven)

To be saved is to be given a second chance. When Jesus paid the price for the penalty that sin had brought against mankind it created a way for every man and every woman to receive a second chance through a full pardon.
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As I’ve been studying the third chapter of Zechariah I see such an amazing illustration of God giving someone a second chance. Joshua the high priest’s second chance was purely an act of grace. He had been soiled by his iniquities and bombarded with accusation—most likely true accusations. Joshua needed a second chance!

God did what only He can do by rebuking Satan and His taunts of accusation. Though many of the accusations may have been based on actual iniquities, we must remember that the enemy can only accuse…HE CANNOT CONDEMN! God is the true High Priest and Righteous Judge over all men. Though our lives and actions may have given cause for accusation, we must remember that there is NO condemnation for those in Christ Jesus!

“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.” Romans 8:1-2

Just as God cleansed Joshua the high priest, gave him new garments, and restored his position, so He has done for everyone who has accepted the ransom for their sins through the price that Jesus paid on the cross. But it goes even beyond that: we are given a second chance to live in freedom from the sin that leads to death.

“…the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.”

We have not only been saved by grace but clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. The Spirit of God comes and lives within us, causing us to now walk in freedom from sin; giving us wisdom, counsel, and power.
Romans 8 goes on to say,

“The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.”Romans 8:3-4

We are free to follow the Spirit of God. God declared an end to sin’s control over us! The enemy still loves to whisper thoughts that accuse or replay past regrets, but we can say to those thoughts, “The Lord rebuke you!”
Declare the words from Romans 8:1 every time an accusation brings up guilt, regrets, and dread,

“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.”

The enemy wants you to come into agreement with accusation so that he can snare you with false alignments and with old captivity. Condemnation is gone, the price has been paid, and sin’s control has been broken over your life. You are now the recipient of abundant and eternal life!

Obedience to the Lord is necessary to move forward in maturity and authority, but it is the power of the Spirit within you that helps you to walk in God’s ways. It is the oil of His Spirit that anoints our heads, gives our feet steps that are pleasing to the Lord, and purifies us from all iniquities.

Then he said to me, “This [continuous supply of oil] is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel [prince of Judah], saying, ‘Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit [of whom the oil is a symbol],’ says the Lord of hosts. Zechariah 4:6 (AMP)

He is the pure olive oil that keeps our lamps lit as we await our Bridegroom’ return. Today, we yield to the oil of the Spirit, who causes us to walk in purity and holiness. We turn our dependency from our own strength to the Spirit. We will walk by the Spirit and not by the flesh. He is our second chance!