Second Chances!

For Tuesday, June 17, 2025:

Luke 13:8-9 NIV, Gardener speaking: “Leave the fig tree alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then I’ll cut it down.”

The gardener is giving the fig tree one last chance. Following Jesus gives mankind second, third and fourth chances. God doesn’t throw us away the first time we sin. We’re given an opportunity to repent and return, to correct a situation and make things right with our fellows. Like I said yesterday, it doesn’t seem to matter as much what you did as a sinner, as what you INTEND to do as a repentant believer!

As he died, Jesus took the sins of the world to the place of the dead. Our sin problem is thereby solved. We all need to look to the future. What has changed? What do we intend to do differently? Actions speak louder than words, so hopefully people will acknowledge your newly changed behavior rather than dwelling on the past. Paul is an extreme example of this. If you only considered his past, his persecution of Christianity, Paul would never be elected leader of a Christian fellowship. But on the road to Damascus, Paul did a 180! He became the leading itinerant evangelist of the New Testament!

By sending Jesus to walk alongside mankind, God is giving us another chance. His desire is that ALL would repent and return. If there’s no fruit, the fig tree will be cut down and thrown into the fire. If mankind doesn’t accept the Son – God’s gift of salvation – we too will be thrown into the fire.

Friends, this is serious business, and Jesus doesn’t mince words. Today is the accepted day to choose your eternal destination. There are only two choices: God’s way or the wrong way! God’s way grants us everlasting happiness. The other way gives us eternal misery.

Choose wisely!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship