And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. (Acts 9:26 - ESV)
Who deserves a second chance? How bad do you have to be before you do not deserve a second chance? Saul was a murderer, he hired out murders, and he was responsible for men, women, and children died at his hands and plans. If anyone was worthy of NOT deserving a second chance it was Saul. Yet, God pursued him, touched him, FORGAVE him, and called him to follow him and be his servant. God gave Paul a second chance.
Raymond Guay is 60 years old. 40 years ago he murdered a 12 year old boy. The boy was found in the woods in his underwear with a bullet in his forehead. The boy had tried to escape and he was shot dead by Raymond. According to the laws in New Hampshire during the 70's and based on the evidence in hand, the courts sentenced him to 35 years. He served all 35 years and he has been released an ordered to serve his time in New Hampshire. 16 years ago, Raymond Guay had a jail house conversion and became a follower of Christ. Over the years, his life has seemingly changed. A friend of mine named David Pinckney, who is a pastor, decided to take him in while he begins his probabtion. He is under strict guidelines and David has strict rules for him in his house. However, he is living in David's house for two months with he, his wife, and four kids. David has given Raymond a second chance. However, not everyone in David's community has responded to Raymond the way David has. Check out the video below before you read on. Good Morning America did a fairly good piece on this whole event. Go ahead - view it.
Wow! Did your gut travel a few bumpy roads as mine did during this video. I can't imagine the pain of the family of that young boy even now some 40 years later. I can't fully imagine the fear of the families in that town. I can imagine their fear for I have two young boys. But - I don't live there and I don't have Raymond Guay living down the street from me. I can't imagine living in the house with Raymond. Can you?
Why did Saul (Paul) get a second chance? Why is Raymond Guay getting a second chance. Jesus. The life and gospel of Jesus demands that all need a second chance. This includes Saul, Raymond, you, and I. Jesus is God and He is holy beyond us in all ways. We are not. And, when we see others as worse off than us, or more sinful, we miss the truth of how Holy Jesus is. He is PERFECT - HOLY. All of us are not perfect or holy. We are all full of sin. Some sins are more hurtful in their consequences to us. However, all sin is disgusting and grotesquely offensive to Holy God. That is why all of us need a second chance - even the Saul's and Raymond's of this world.
