“For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison, who were once disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water.” – 1 Peter 3:18-20
This devotion can be a little hard to follow, so read it slowly and pay close attention.
I am often asked, do people get a second chance to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior after they die? My answer may surprise you at first. If they died before the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the answer is “yes.” What? A second chance? Now, pay attention here – it’s very clear from today’s scripture reference – 1 Peter 3:18-20 – that Christ went and preached to the captives of death. If you recite the Apostle’s Creed, you know it says that “Christ, dead and buried, descended into hell and rose again on the third day.” That’s very offensive to a lot of folks who aren’t used to reciting the Apostle’s Creed. But, it’s very biblical in understanding what Christ did between the time of His death on the cross and His resurrection. Are you still with me?
So, for the people who died before Christ came, yes, they had a second chance. But, if they died after the resurrection of Jesus Christ and rejected Jesus Christ, there’s no biblical indication of a second chance to receive salvation. Hebrews 9:27 says, “Just as man is destined to die once, and after that, to face judgment.”
But, the Good News is that salvation and eternal life are available to all who come to Christ in repentant faith. 1 John 5:12 tells us, “He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” If you are not sure you have it, pray today – trust Christ alone for salvation and eternal life. If you have Christ in your heart, you have sureness of eternal life. But, don’t wait, because on this side of the cross, there will be no second chances!
