October 19th 2022.

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

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

You might have heard many sermons about forgiving others and restoring relationship through reconciliation but only a few about forgiving yourself.

It is harder to forgive ourselves than to forgive others. I know this personally by experience.

Those that have perfectionist tendencies and always want to be right at all times may find it hard to forgive themselves when they make mistakes.

Failure to forgive yourself is as sinful as when you refuse to forgive others.

Another problem we have along this line is unbelief. How? Those who fail to forgive themselves hardly believe they're forgiven by God.

It is impossible to believe in God's forgiving grace and still have problems forgiving oneself. Those who believe in the power of God to forgive will never wallow in guilt.

Some are fond of asking God for forgiveness for sins committed decades ago. If they pray ten times in a day, they'll ask forgiveness over the same sin ten times.

An extreme I've heard people recommend is to tell others to fast and pray to be forgiven. Hogwash! You don't earn God's forgiveness through fasting and prayer.

Forgiveness is God's act of mercy and grace. We receive it when we confess and forsake our sins.

Unscriptural teachings about forgiveness makes people not to forgive themselves.

God Himself doesn’t even want to remember our sins (Isaiah 43:25), so why should we?

I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins(Isaiah 43:25 KJV).

Are we smarter then God to remember something He chooses to forget? Of course, we are not smarter than God.

One of the ways the enemy weaken our faith and prayer life is to make us hate ourselves because of our mistakes.

It is worse when we stay around those who constantly remind us about our gaffes.

It is better to avoid environments and people that constantly remind you about your mistakes. Some are working with Satan in the ministry of accusation.

Your walk with God won't flourish If you're haunted by the sins God has forgiven and forgotten.

God is rich in mercy. He is not out to look for your fault and count your sins against you If you've truly repented.

For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, NO LONGER COUNTING PEOPLE'S SINS AGAINST THEM. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:19 NLT).

Don't join the devil in his ministry of accusation. Please, for your sake, forgive yourself.