So many times I have heard "I know God forgives me, why can't I forgive myself?" It's a question that I have asked myself a time or two. I don't claim to know the answer, but I do know that because of sin and doubt the question continues to plague people. So how do we accurately deal with the answer to that question. I really think it ultimately comes down to trust. Why trust? Because without it we don't really believe that God has forgiven us and if we don't really believe that God has forgiven us, then how can we forgive ourselves. I John states that "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgives us of our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." Our trust has got to be in the work that Christ did on the cross for us. When we don't forgive ourselves we are telling God that His work on the cross wasn't good enough. We have to take the step of faith that requires us to trust that the saving work of Christ on the cross covers all sin. We take the step to confess our sin and then receive the forgiveness that Christ has for us. We are not greater than God, so who are we to say we can't forgive ourselves. My sin grieves God so much more than it does me so who am I to not allow that forgiveness to happen. TRUST!! That is what it is about. Trust in Christ and His work on the cross. Trust that Christ has taken on that sin so that I may be forgiven. Trust that God will love me despite my shortcomings. Trust that God has a perfect plan for this imperfect person. TRUST!
I still can't answer that question but I know that I am forgiven. I am cleansed of all unrighteousness. My sins are forgiven as far as the east is from the west. I can believe that if God can forgive me than I can forgive myself.
