The Cost of Second Chances

Sunday Rewind is a 5-day Devotional based on the weekly sermon at Resonate Community Church

February 22nd Sermon, Day 4

Second chances aren't free. For Philemon, welcoming Onesimus back would cost money, reputation, and social standing. For Onesimus, returning required tremendous courage to face someone he had wronged. Paul acknowledged this reality - he didn't minimize the cost or pretend it would be easy. But he also revealed something beautiful: sometimes God uses our painful separations to create something better than what we had before.

The word 'perhaps' is powerful because it doesn't dismiss the pain or rewrite history, but it leaves space for God's redemption. Maybe, just maybe, God had a plan even in this mess. Second chances cost us pride, comfort, and emotional energy. They require us to release our right to hold grudges and our need to make others pay for their mistakes. But when we pay the price of grace, we often discover that what God gives back is far more valuable than what we gave up.

Bible Verse

'Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was so that you might have him back forever. No longer as a slave, but better than a slave. As a dear brother.' - Philemon 1:15-16

Reflection Question

What is the cost of offering a second chance in your current situation, and what might God want to create through your willingness to pay that price?

Quote

Nobody can deny that second chances cost you something. Second chances for any of us, they're expensive. They cost pride. They cost your comfort, they cost your emotional energy.

Prayer

Father, help me count the cost of grace and choose to pay it anyway. Show me how You can redeem even painful separations for Your glory.