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Forgive Yourself

 

1 Corinthians 15:8 -10 - And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. 

For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 

But by the grace of God, I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 

The Apostle Paul was greatly used by God. But what if he had a problem forgiving himself?

If anyone had a right to judge himself badly, it was the Apostle Paul. He had persecuted the church, putting people in jail if they testified of Christ and even standing in approval at the stoning of the Deacon Stephen.

 

Other examples of those who went on to accomplish great things for the Lord after falling and failing are numerous in Scripture. You think of Moses killing the Egyptian, David’s sin with Bathsheba, or Jonah running the other way from God’s call.

 

All of these are examples to teach us the importance of forgiving ourselves. We all get off track sometimes, we make bad decisions and speak unwisely. But thankfully as we read in 1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

 

God is faithful about forgiving, so don’t be so hard on yourself, ask God to forgive you, then forgive yourself and be ready to be used by God in a mighty way.