Answers

By   •   July 2, 2013   •   Topics:

Q:

I know it's too late for me to start over, but maybe you could warn people to stop and think about what they're doing when they're young. I know from personal experience that once you've messed up your life it's impossible to get back on track.


A:

Thank you for your letter; I know it took courage for you to admit your failures and write to me about them. All too often, I’m afraid, people blame everyone else for what’s gone wrong in their lives, instead of facing their own responsibility for what’s happened.

But listen: It’s not too late for you to make a new start in life — and you can, with God’s help. No, you can’t reverse the past or undo what’s been done; unfortunately, bad decisions always have bad results. As the Bible warns, “The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction” (Galatians 6:8).

But the worst decision you could make right now would be to give up and assume that your life must always be like this. God loves you and doesn’t want you to be stuck in the same rut you’ve been in. He wants to forgive your past and give you hope for the future — and it can happen as you give your life to Jesus Christ.

What difference will Christ make? First, He’ll help you do what is right, as you commit each decision to Him in prayer and seek wisdom from His Word, the Bible. In addition, He’ll surround you with people who care about you and can help you, as you become active in a church where Christ is preached and lived. God wants to put you on a new path — and He will, as you open your heart and life to Jesus Christ.