I know many Christians, who have trouble with “forgiving themselves,” of past transgressions, or issues, that might have been “beyond the parameters of Christianity.”

At times, many of us can be our own harshest critics, and determined to “beat up” on things done, or words said, or actions that were less than worthy.  However, the most important One of all, while nailed to the cross said, “It is finished…” John 19:30

We need Him, in all areas of life, which is to say without Him, there is NO LIFE.

Jesus, is our Kinsman redeemer, sent to set us free.  And His mission, not only served “us” and brought into focus, the glory of His Father, and the plan for humankind.  But with Him, we are able to have forgiveness.  Not just “one time,” but no matter how many times we transgress, or backslide. He is unconditionally there for us, when we truly repent with a contrite heart, He willingly forgives.

In Matthew 18:21, Peter asks of Jesus, “How many times should I forgive someone, as many as seven times?” Jesus replied with, “No, you should forgive seventy times seven.”

Still there are versions which say seventy times, but we’ll concentrate on the larger number right now.

Think about that for one moment.  Just think!   That response from Jesus Christ is beyond our human comprehension.  But to our amazing calculations, seventy times seven, amounts to exactly 490 acts of forgiveness!

So if Christ can do that, and asks that of us for our transgressors, then why is it so hard to “forgive ourselves?”  We are His. He is ours.  And His words are for everyone who has the ears to hear.

So hear it!

Embrace it!

Share it!

And Praise Him!

We are forgiven!

Next time we look into the mirror of our souls, remember there is One who created us, and loves for who we are.  And He forgives us, even if we can’t forgive ourselves!

 

“Father God, thank You, for the blood of  Your Son Christ, who declared, ‘It is finished’ — may we forgive those who offend us, and may we forgive ourselves, as we seek Your grace, and love, all the days of our lives, in Jesus name, Amen.”