A man came to his minister for spiritual help. He had committed a sin years ago that continued to torment his conscience. He had read the Bible promises of God's forgiveness. He confessed his sin to God over and over. He knew that Christ died for all of his sins. Yet, he was still bothered with his guilt. It wouldn't go away.
He said to the minister, "I just don't know what to do." The minister asked, "Have you forgiven yourself?" He thought for a moment, then looking up, he said,"I've never thought of it that way. I really haven't forgiven myself." The minister said, "When we confess our sins, God is always willing to forgive us, but we must agree with God to forgive ourselves."
Do you know God Who Forgives? God's blessing of forgiveness is readily available to all who will repent and confess their sins. The psalmist understood the blessing of forgiveness. "I said,'I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.' And You forgave the iniquity of my sin" (Psalm 32:5). Oh, the blessing of forgiveness! "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered" (Psalm 32:1).
Will you forgive yourself? If God is willing to forgive us, why would we not forgive ourselves? Sometime we think that we must punish ourselves. That is a denial of Bible teaching. God provides a sacrifice for our sins. Someone else takes our punishment. His name is Jesus. He died in our place for our sins. Self-punishment could never be enough to pay for our sins. Jesus paid it all, because we believe in God Who Forgives.
"You answered them, O LORD our God;
You were to them God Who Forgives."
Psalm 99:8
