Forgiving Yourself

For if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses (Matthew 6:15).

You have probably heard numerous sermons on forgiveness because it's important for all Christians, but it's something we often find difficult to do. Instead, we want to focus on what people deserve. Thankfully, God doesn't do this, or we'd be in big trouble.  For some people, however, forgiving themselves is the hardest of all because we know how often we've fallen short of God's will.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).

God doesn't forgive us based on how much we deserve it or not. He loves and forgives because of who He is, a great and loving God who extends grace to all those who accept His Son as their Savior. Then, God doesn't see the sinners that we used to be, but He sees Christ-followers who now have the righteousness of Christ. We have been made perfect in Him.

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you (Ephesians 4:22).

Forgiving others also includes forgiving yourself. If you don't, you will live in a prison of your own making -- one God never intended for you. You will fall into Satan's trap because he wants to keep you in bondage. God wants His children to be free.

If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed (John 8:36).

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