The self help movement has infiltrated church teachings. If you are not a LOVER of the word of God, you most likely will fall for lies. I believe the whole concept of forgiving yourself is one of them. I have heard this talked about a lot through the years.

Forgiving YOURSELF is not in the Scriptures. Please hear me out. Jesus never commanded it; the apostle Paul never talked about it. What IS in the Scriptures is GOD’S forgiveness that was obtained for you through Jesus’ sacrifice. BIG difference.

I maintain that if you feel the need to forgive yourself, check to see if you have REALLY received the forgiveness that Jesus died to give you. The death of one innocent Man was enough to pay for the forgiveness of all the sins you have ever committed or WILL ever commit in the future. God was absolutely satisfied with it. If you say you need to add something to this, like forgiving yourself, you have not really accepted what He did for you, once and for all. You have not yet come to FAITH in the Word of God.

“For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.” Hebrews 10:4 “But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God…For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.” Hebrews 10:12-14. That last part is perhaps one of the most hope-filled passages in the bible.

The distance from the brain to the heart is approximately 18 inches. The word of God must move from mental assent to heartfelt belief and faith. In order for this to happen, it has been my experience that saying those promises out loud is necessary. My ears and my heart need to hear the word of God.

The bible talks about confession. “If you confess with your mouth, and believe in your heart, ….you shall be saved,” Romans 10:9. (The Greek word translated saved has many implications. Salvation is not just from sin, but that discussion is for another time.)  This is my confession, that “if I confess my sins, He is faithful and just to forgive me and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness.” I John 1:9.  “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits, Who forgives all your iniquities; who heals all your diseases; Who redeems your life from destruction; who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies; Who satisfies your mouth with good things; so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” Psalm 103: 2-4.

Do you believe these scriptures? Rom. 8:35 “What shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?”

“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rom. 8:38-39.

If you can’t say yes to that question, check the status of your salvation. Have you accepted the Lord Jesus Christ’s sacrifice as payment for all of your sins? If you are truly saved by faith in his sacrifice, then let’s work on  developing your faith in the word of God. You first must know WHAT it says, what those promises are. Studying His word is so important. Then confess it out loud. Incorporate it into your prayers. His sacrifice has FOREVER paid for all your past sins and any that you may commit in the future. There is no need to forgive your SELF! His forgiveness is ENOUGH!!! Receive it today! You won’t be disappointed.

Pray this. Dear Jesus, I am so full of worldly thinking. I repent for conforming to the world rather than to Your word. Forgive me for not studying your word as I should. I thank you for your cleansing power that brings wholeness into my life. With Your help, I want to commit myself to studying Your word and renewing my mind to it. Thank You for everything You have done for me.