Why Didn’t God Give Adam and Eve a Second Chance?

Answer:

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For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Genesis 2:16–17; Genesis 3:22–23; Acts 4:12

We should be careful when using the word “chance,” since it can mean that something just happened by accident. From God’s perspective, nothing happens by “chance” because He knows everything. However, chance can also mean “opportunity,” which seems to be how you used it. In one sense, God did give Adam and Eve a second chance because He did not immediately eliminate them for their sin, which is what they deserved (and so do we). When they sinned the whole creation fell—it was no longer perfect! Humans could do nothing to change that. Adam and Eve were sent out of the Garden so that they could not eat from the tree of life and live forever. Can you imagine how dreadful it would be to live in a sin-cursed world for eternity? When God killed that very first animal and clothed Adam and Eve, He shared a picture of the gospel with them. He helped them understand that a perfect sacrifice would be required to take away the sins of all people. That perfect sacrifice would be God Himself—Jesus Christ. Everyone who believes in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior will receive the free gift of eternal life. God gave us something far better than a “second chance.” He offers us a free gift—forgiveness through Jesus, which we can receive by turning from our sin and trusting in Jesus Christ.