Do you sometimes find it hard to forgive yourself even though you’ve asked for forgiveness and know you are forgiven?  I do.  How can we be free of memories of our failures when they spin in our minds weaving a cloak of shame we feel we need to wear?

Choosing to forgive ourselves can sometimes be harder than forgiving others.

Let’s put this into perspective.

1. The Lord convicts us of our sin so we will confess it to him and be forgiven and free.
2. The enemy condemns us when we sin and wants us to remain in bondage to it.

When we know about the character of our God, cling to his promises and also recognize the schemes of the enemy, we can discern whose voice we are listening to and make the conscious decision to reject the accuser and listen to the voice of our loving Heavenly Father.

Psalm 103:8-13 tells us about God’s love for us despite our sin.

8 The LORD is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.  9 He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever.  10 He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.  11 For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.  12 He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.  13 The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.

In contrast…. “Stay alert! Watch out for our great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)  The enemy condemns us when we sin. We must to remember “he wants to take advantage of us so we need to be aware of his schemes” (2 Corinthians 2:11)  and in this case his scheme is self-condemnation. He doesn’t want us to experience the freedom we have in forgiveness so he will continue to remind us of our failures. He doesn’t want us to be free therefore he will lie to keep us in bondage.

Who will you listen to?  Look at the story below.  Who did this woman listen to?

John 8:1-11 tells of a woman accused of adultery.  The religious leaders brought her to Jesus and said they should stone her to death.  However, Jesus’ response convicts the leaders of their own sin and shame while at the same time he heals the wounded heart of the woman.

The accusers publicly condemned a woman for her sin, demanding death.  As they criticized her, Jesus quietly wrote in the sand.  We don’t know what he wrote.  I wonder if he began to write a list of names of the accusers and their secret sins.  He would have known them since he was and is God.  Whatever he wrote they got the message… “Who here is without sin?”  One by one, they dropped their stones and walked away.

Then Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”  Jesus graciously rescued her from condemnation, forgave her, and gave her freedom to start a new life, leaving the old behind.

She listened to Jesus.

TRUTH:

Jesus came into this world not to condemn us but to save us. John 3:17

Jesus says, he “came so that you may have life and have it abundantly.”  He came to give us new life, eternal life, freedom, a clean slate, and it all begins at the moment we accept his gift of salvation.

“If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)  If you have confessed it to him he has washed it away.

When God forgives us he “casts our sins as far as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12­) and remembers them no more.  Did you know east and west never meet?  They continue in opposite directions for infinity!

Jesus knew the price of sin is death so he was willing to come to earth to take our place by paying the price for us with his own life, a living sacrifice, so we could have his gift of eternal life. He loves us that much!

Beloved, you are not condemned.  You are forgiven.  Experience the freedom promised to you by claiming God’s promises.  No more guilt.  No more shame.  No more penance.

Conviction leads us to repentance.  Repentance leads to forgiveness.  Forgiveness leads to life…abundantly, new beginnings, a clean slate, and the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for loving me, for your tenderness and compassion towards me.  I have been trapped in self-condemnation, fearing it was the only way to pay for my sin but I can’t ever pay for it.  Thank you Jesus for paying the price for me.

I listened to the accuser for far too long.  Not anymore!  I want to experience the freedom of your forgiveness by forgiving myself and leaving the past behind.

I confess __________________ to you.  I am so sorry.  The burden has been so heavy and I am weary.  Thank you for your forgiveness, for your mercy, for casting my sins away as far as the east is from the west and cleansing me of them all.  You are such a good father.  I really need you to help me to forgive myself as I let go of my past and look forward with hope in the truth in your word.

I choose today to speak truth to myself and claim your promises. I choose to be alert and reject the lies and accusations of the enemy by reminding myself that you have forgiven me completely, you have washed my sins away and they are gone, forever.  I praise you because you have rescued me.  Today is a new day to begin again and to walk in your truth.

In Jesus Name,

Amen