2Cor5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (KJV).
So much has been said about forgiving people who trespass against us but the admonition to forgive oneself is rare.
Most times, we hear the phrase "forgive yourself" in passing but those who preach it don't dwell on it like they do on forgiving others.
It is very easy to tell others that their past is gone because they are new creation in Christ but it is very hard to believe what we're preaching to others whenever the devil reminds us of our gaffes in the past.
I've been there even as a preacher. I have condemned myself and even felt guilty to the point of depression. I was fighting a battle within. The devil kept telling me forgiveness was not cheap and I almost took sides with him. It took me a long time before I could accept God's forgiveness that was available to me through Christ.
When you fail to forgive yourself, it is a sure sign that you don't believe in the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice to cleanse you of your sins and wipe your slate clean.
A man said, "Failing to forgive yourself will put blinders on your spiritual eyesight quickly. It will cause you to see things through the eyes of guilt, shame and condemnation. It will ruin your faith, and cause you to go blind spiritually."
Those who hardly forgive themselves hardly forgive others. The devil will make you doubt God's forgiveness to weaken your faith and prayer life, he'll bring negative emotions your way and bring to remembrance all your wrongs in the past.
He'll play them to you like a video. He'll make you see yourself lesser than other brethren. Ultimately, he'll make you doubt God's word about forgiveness and the efficacy of Jesus' blood.
The writer of Hebrew said, "Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins."(Heb9:14).
God will forgive the vilest offender who believes in the cleansing power of the blood. Think about the vilest thing a man can do, God will surely forgive. Prophet Isaiah said, "“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool."(Isa1:18).
After you're forgiven, He won't keep the record. Hebrew 8:12 says, "And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.” If God has promised not to remember your sins, why are you doing sin remembrance service?
The enemy will try to remind you of your past and continue to beat you up over sins that were supposed to be nailed to the cross. Forgiveness is a gift from God. When the recipient of a gift receives it gladly and with joy, the giver is glorified.
When you forgive yourself, God is glorified but if you dwell on your past and feel guilty and condemned, Satan is glorified. Hey! Forgive yourself.
CONFESSION: Father, thank you for expressing your love to me by sending Christ to die for my sins. I believe in the efficacy of Christ's blood to forgive my sins. I accept the totality of His sacrifice for me on the cross. I refuse to feel guilty and condemned for my forgiven past in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
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