The Challenge: How Can I Forgive Myself? ( Forgiving Ourselves )
Today Understand ( 1 John 3:20 ) – Our hearts may judge us. But God is greater than our hearts. He knows everything.
Have you ever heard someone say, “I know God has forgiven me, but I’ll never be able to forgive myself”? While such self-condemnation can spring from several sources, it is, in any case, an enemy the Lord has already defeated. Romans 8:1 tells us, “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” This encouraging statement covers all condemnation, including self-recrimination. How, then, should we deal with those condemning voices?
First of all, we need to distinguish between remorse and guilt. We are right to feel sorrow and remorse for past deeds, sins against our spouse, our brother or sister, and especially those sins that affront God – but to carry guilt for them is not necessary.
The Bible assures us that if we confess our sins, God is faithful to forgive us (1 John 1:9). Any lingering feelings of guilt after this are enemies trying to rob us of our freedom in Christ Jesus – sometimes these feelings of guilt stem from the mistaken notion that we still must pay for our sins, we must perform some “pennance” or perform some acts .. so we unconsciously embrace perpetual remorse as a way to make restitution for past wrongdoings .. Such a practice suggests the faulty idea that Jesus’ precious blood was not sufficient to cover all of our sins – past, present, and future. Once we finally realize that He has stamped “paid in full” on our account, then we must never dare to side with those who would have us believe otherwise.
Since our heavenly Father has given us His Word – THE GOOD NEWS – we can reject all accusing voices and rest on His promise: “For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things” (1 John 3:20 NKJV).
Take time and search around this site — look at the “thought conditioners” if you are batteling unforgiveness .. stay in God’s Good News .. and be fed by the Bread of Life .. and drink The Living Water ..