Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – September 8, 2018
By Boyd Bailey
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1
Have you forgiven yourself? Have you really forgiven yourself? We know we have forgiven ourselves if we are free from guilt and self-condemnation. Otherwise, we are stuck in the crazy cycle of reliving bad decisions that are done and cannot be changed. It is impossible to continually guilt our conscience in order to make up for past mistakes.
When we do not release ourselves from previous indiscretions, we try to make up for them by overcompensating in the present. Perhaps you neglected your children in their early years, and now that they are older teenagers, you have tried to make up for your absence by enabling their poor decisions. Instead, they need to experience the consequences of bad behavior while they are with you so they can learn and grow into responsible adults and citizens.
Jesus tells the story of a loving father who allowed his son to hit bottom. As a consequence, the son awoke to reality and took responsibility: “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you’” (Luke 15:17–18).
Forgiving yourself begins by embracing the truth that your heavenly Father has forgiven you. The grace of God is in abundant supply. No one is beyond its reach. The Lord loves you unconditionally, and He forgives the objects of His love. Has the grace of God seeped deep into your soul so you know in your heart you are set free from the guilt and shame of sin? If not, forgive yourself, and trust the Lord to make up for lost time.
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace” (Ephesians 1:7).
When you forgive yourself, you are able to forgive others. Self-forgiveness is a key to unlocking real relationships. Authentic community with Christ and Christians comes from forgiveness from your heavenly Father, forgiveness from others, and forgiveness from you. What have you not released yourself from in forgiveness? Lay it at the altar of God’s grace, and He will extinguish it with His eternal fire of forgiveness and love.
“This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” (Matthew 22:38–39). When you love yourself—you forgive yourself!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, by Your grace I forgive myself, because in Christ, You have forgiven me, in Jesus’ name, amen.
Application
In what area of my life am I harder on myself than even the Lord expects of me?
Related Reading
Psalm 130:3–5; 2 Corinthians 6:1; Colossians 1:14; 1 John 4:7–12
Taken from Seeking Daily the Heart of God v.2
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Forgiving yourself begins by embracing the truth that your heavenly Father has forgiven you. #WisdomHunters #forgiveyourself
Worship Resource
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6B8SjPxo8o
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