Deuteronomy Chps 4: 21-31
You may still have to eat crow (seek repentance) but the Lord welcomes you back anytime. He reserves the right to punish you and this is not ruled out but if you repent He will always take you back.
The difference of course (based on insight from Lisa, my lovely wife) is the old covenant with God vs the new covenant with Christ.
Moses reminds us of the mercy available to the Israelites:
29 But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul. 30 When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the LORD your God and obey him. 31 For the LORD your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your forefathers, which he confirmed to them by oath. (verses 29-31).
With the old covenant, you had to repent and continue to follow the ways of the Lord as instructed in the Old Testament. While it is somewhat comforting that you can come back to the Lord you are still somewhat boxed in by the rules of the Old Testament that almost guarantee that you will fall once again.
Obviously, this was not working that well because God "so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son (John 3:16)". Christ was sent with a purpose and a new covenant that promises both freedom from sin and eternal life. Faith in Christ (and a life based on faith in Him and based on becoming more like Him) is the only requirement.
My Prayer: Lord, I know that you love me no matter what - and that your love is more than I can imagine and more than any human being can ever match. Thank you for this love and thank you for your mercy and kindness. Forgive me for my sin...which is daily. Help me trust in you, love you, and follow you.
