This morning I had an ah-ha moment as I was reading Priscilla Shirer’s book The Resolution for Women. This book is broken up into twelve resolutions and then individual chapters. I am now on the resolution about forgiveness.
This whole section has spoken to me quite a bit because forgiveness is something I struggle with at times. Today, though, stood out to me more than any other.
She tells the story of a girl asking how you forgive yourself. It’s a question I’ve asked and wandered myself more times than I can count. How do I get ride of the shame? Her answer hit me to my core.
She told the girl simply, you can’t.
You can’t forgive yourself.
Only Jesus can.
And if we have accepted His gift of salvation, then He has forgiven us. Romans 8:1 says,“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”
That guilt and shame you and I feel is from the devil. If you are a child of God, you have been forgiven. Jesus took it all upon Him when He died on the cross for us. You are not responsible for forgiving yourself.
Psalms 103:12 says, “As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.” We must choose to accept His forgiveness and live in freedom with Him.
If you’re looking for a great book for women, I recommend the one above!
If you don’t know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, I’d love to talk to you.
Ribbons and Lace 