Proverbs 18:14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
Someone said, “You are led by your spirit or your wounds.”
Forgive yourself, because God already did. The hardest person to forgive in life is often yourself because you know your own heart and your own shortcomings. You also know the damage and resulting wounds from the choices you made in life that are now affecting your soul. We make personal judgments about ourselves from the wounded part of our soul, rather than the healed part of our spirit that came by faith.
We have to accept the fact that we are forgiven and there is now no condemnation for ourselves in the same proportion that is available to all the people who have accepted Christ as Lord. Rom. 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
We have to accept the fact that we are forgiven and there is now no condemnation for ourselves in the same proportion that is available to all the people who have accepted Christ as Lord. Rom. 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
I do not know why we are harder on ourselves than God is, but we often are. I am not sure how the Apostle Paul forgave himself but he did, even with the history of his memories. Paul had been responsible for the death of Christians and carried that knowledge in his heart. However, after Paul had received Christ as his Lord he goes on to declare that he has wronged no man. 2 Cor. 7:2 Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man. What allowed Paul to say such a thing when his own history said different?
The forgiving power of the blood and sacrifice of Jesus was the first thing Paul got a hold of in his heart. The second thing was being able to accept the full redemption of that work within his heart and life. Paul could say by faith no matter what had happened in his past life or present ministry – to forgive the past and move on to the future by faith was the power of the resurrection of Christ now working in his soul.
He could forget the past and move forward in Christ every new day because he had forgiven himself. Phil. 3:13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
He could forget the past and move forward in Christ every new day because he had forgiven himself. Phil. 3:13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
How we move forward in our Christian walk is largely determined by how we accept the forgiveness of God and apply that forgiveness to our lives. Trusting the finished work of the cross by faith on our part is the first step to personal forgiveness and freedom. The word says that we have known and believed the love that God has for us. Might this be the problem? We can believe God loves others, but because we know ourselves we find it hard to believe He could love us?
This is just a tactic the enemy of our soul uses. Satan has used this lie on all people throughout history. The devil is a liar and will always lie to us about the love God has for us. John 8:44-B When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
It is time to forgive ourselves of all the things that have wounded us. It is for these very wounds Jesus died on the cross. Our hurts, wounds, sicknesses, and sins of all kinds have been paid in full by the love, blood, and sacrifice Jesus gave us.
It is time to stop being led by the wounds and festering injuries of your past life and allow the healing balm and resurrection power of the Holy Spirit to heal your soul completely. By faith, let us enter into the fullness of grace that was given to every man who accepts the gift of forgiveness. Yes, forgive yourself, and bless the Lord for it. Amen.
Amen! This is an encouraging word!