A Second Chance for Pete?

This week the DVD, “4192: The Crowning of the Hit King,” was released—chronicling the story of Pete Rose, and his all-time hits record within major league baseball.  As I listened to the radio story driving home from work, the conversation—as it typically does whenever his name comes up in public—quickly became more about Rose’s place in baseball’s Hall of Fame and less about the DVD. As people on both sides of the argument chimed in on whether or not Pete Rose deserved a second chance, I couldn’t help but realize some of the similarities between how sports and the church handle these types of issues.

Sports, like the church, are filled with stories about second chances. Looking at the sporting landscape today you see numerous players who have been given a second chance, even when so many have said that they didn’t deserve one. Talented players such as:  Michael Vick, Josh Hamilton, and Tiger Woods each found themselves in the public spotlight where they had not only embarrassed themselves, but also the sport they represented.

But then there’s Rose—an athlete who succeeded and poured his heart out on the field, yet after making a mistake, was banned from baseball indefinitely—with no second chance given. 

We see this happen in the church all the time. We’re willing to give grace to most everyone, but we often categorize sins based on how bad we believe they are. And when someone crosses those lines into what we define as the “worst sins,” we are unable to let that go without punishment. As a result we take it upon ourselves to withhold forgiveness, making ourselves the judge of the grace deserved by others.

God’s Word clearly states in Romans, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” that we’re all in need of a second chance, but, “Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more” (Romans 5:20). God’s grace covers all sin, not just the ones we’re willing to forgive.

So maybe it’s time for baseball to give Pete his second chance. I’m sure glad God has given me mine.

by Andy Garrett

Editorial