Forgiveness and God’s Grace

“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.” 1 Timothy 1:12-16

“Be easy on others and hard on yourself” is an old saying. To a degree, that common-sense proverb rings true. But when it comes to forgiveness, it can be misapplied. What if we are the ones responsible for a divorce? What if we are the ones who spread malicious gossip about another - gossip that proved false? What if we lost our tempers and struck our mates? An inability to forgive ourselves can lead to severe character disorders, plunging us ever deeper into discouragement, bitterness, and hopelessness.
   
If anyone had a reason to judge himself harshly, it was the Apostle Paul. He was a killer, persecutor, and enemy of the church. What if Paul had allowed his past to haunt him after his dramatic conversion to Christ? Could he possibly have shared Christ so boldly and persistently? And remember David’s sin. What if he had dwelt on his sin with Bathsheba? Could he have been a “man after God’s own heart?”

In each case, their refusal to forgive themselves would have damaged their lives and ministry. Being hard on yourself when it comes to forgiveness is a setup for a lifetime of self-inflicted pain.

“And their sins and their lawless deeds
I will remember no more.” Hebrews 10:17