Jonah: The God of Second Chances

“The confession of evil works is the beginning of good works.” – Augustine

“Fallen man is not simply an imperfect creature who needs improvement: he is a rebel who must lay down his arms.” – C. S. Lewis | Mere Christianity

“Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer | The Cost of Discipleship

JONAH 3:5-10

5 The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth. 6 When Jonah’s warning reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. 7 This is the proclamation he issued in Nineveh: “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. 8 But let people and animals be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. 9 Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.” 10 When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.