LifeWay Research recently looked at poor choices and the idea that God gives second chances in a new study. When self-defined Christians were asked if they were dealing with the consequences of a bad decision in their lives, nearly half (47 percent) said yes. According to the results of the study, the vast majority of Americans believe God gives second chances for poor decision-making: 84 percent of Americans believe it, while 94 percent of Protestants in general and 98 percent of evangelicals say so.
“In all, some 44 percent of respondents believe God’s offering of a second chance depends on some kind of human action,” said Ronnie Floyd, general editor for Bible Studies for Life. For Floyd, this viewpoint creates unneeded issues. “The problem with trusting in one’s self to gain a second chance from God is that we cannot trust ourselves to get it right,” he said. “Why put extra pressure on ourselves to fix things? We shouldn’t. The most scriptural response to a failure is to ask God to intervene to accomplish His will.”
Ed Stetzer, president of LifeWay Research concluded that the high number of those suffering from the consequences of past mistakes gives Christians the opportunity to show grace. “Christians minister grace out of grace,” said Stetzer . “Caring for those dealing with pain and regrets is not about fulfilling obligations or relieving guilt, as all of that has already been taken care of by Christ.”
