Presidential Do Over

Like many Americans and perhaps a lot of people around the world I tuned into the Inauguration Tuesday to watch Barack Obama become the 44th President of the United States. It was with some amusement that I watched the first presidential blunder of our new president when Chief Justice Roberts misspoke the oath of office and President Obama stopped midsentence and stumbled over his lines.

After flubbing the oath of office for the President of the United States President Obama and Chief Justice Roberts repeated the oath a second time in front of a few reporters the next day (not because it was necessary but do to an overriding “abundance of caution” by White House counsel. History indicates that this is not the first time that a President has had to have a do over of the oath of office because of flubbing their lines, Calvin Coolidge and Chester A. Arthur both were given “do overs.”

While some people might find the concepts of “do overs” wrong, the Bible is full of “do overs” Abraham had a habit of lying about his relationship with his wife and yet God allowed him back into fellowship. David certainly was allowed a do over when his relationship was restored after committing adultery and murder.

Peter was allowed a do over after denying Christ three times he confessed his love and loyalty to Christ three times after the resurrection. In fact if you read 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to purify us from all unrighteousness.

While there are always consequences for our action (just ask a farmer what happens if he gets his seeds mixed up when he plants) it seems that humans are much less forgiving then God is. We don’t care to give mulligans unless it’s involves our own failures. Yet Paul has to remind us that we were all sinners but God gave us a do over when we became followers of Jesus Christ (see 1 Corinthians 6:9-11).

I’m sure glad that we serve a God of “Do Overs!”

Aren’t you?

Pastor Val