Can I Get a Mulligan?

Happy is the person whose sins are forgiven, whose wrongs are pardoned.

– Psalm 32:1

There are few do-overs in the game of life. But sometimes there are in the game of golf. For example, if a golfer slices their shot into the woods or a deep sand trap, they might ask their opponent for a mulligan — a chance to try again.

Wouldn’t it be nice if we could get a mulligan every time we fail in life? Like for the times we speak rudely to a family member or cut off another motorist in traffic. Or when we gossip about someone at church or “forget” to report some income on our tax forms. Better still, how about a do-over for that night (25 years ago) when we shoplifted on a dare from a friend? Big or small, our failures can weigh heavy on our hearts. We can’t stop thinking about them and about what could have been. 

How different our lives would be if we could simply erase those ugly moments in time and start over with a clean slate. The truth is that we can all use a few mulligans.

The apostle Peter understood this sentiment. Although he was one of Jesus’ earliest followers, witnessed his Master’s miracles, and even walked on water (until his faith ran out), this bold individual known as The Rock failed the test more than once. For example, we can read in Matthew 26 about Peter’s declaration to stand by Jesus — and even die, if necessary — no matter what. But only hours after the Savior’s betrayal and arrest, Peter denied even knowing him. And not just once, but three times!

That’s sobering stuff. But the good news is that God understands our human limitations. What’s more, we can find his solution to this universal problem throughout the Bible:

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness,” we read in 1 John. And this passage from Proverbs delivers additional reassurance: “He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”

That message on a popular bumper sticker sums it up: Christians aren’t perfect, they’re just forgiven. It’s when we desperately need a mulligan to erase our failures — whether we’re on or off the golf course — that we can always count on God’s undeserved kindness. We just need to confess our shortfalls to Jesus in faith. The result is a clean scorecard. A complete and total do-over. A mulligan.

“How far has the Lord taken our sins from us?” the psalmist asks. “Farther than the distance from east to west!”