How to Accept God’s Forgiveness and Forgive Yourself.
Every human being occasionally makes blunders. We could fall short of both our own and other people’s expectations. We can act in ways that go against our principles, regret decisions we’ve made, or even do things we know are bad. Then we turn to God in those circumstances and beg for his forgiveness. God mercifully and constantly forgives us.
Accepting God’s forgiveness can be challenging, especially if we feel like we’ve done something wrong. Sometimes it’s hard to forgive oneself. Please know that you are not alone if you are going through this. This post will provide you with some advice on how to accept God’s forgiveness and forgive yourself. (Related article: Grace Embraced: Reflection on God’s Unconditional Love)
How to Accept God’s Forgiveness and Forgive Yourself:
It is critical to recognize that forgiveness is an essential concept in Christianity. God first forgives us to reconcile us to himself. That is why Jesus Christ shed his blood. Through the blood of Jesus, God provided a means for sins to be forgiven. According to Ephesians 1:7 (KJV), “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.” In St. Matthew 26:28 (NIV), Jesus also stated, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
God made this provision to release us from the burden of guilt and shame so that we can move forward with a renewed sense of purpose and direction. What does it mean that Jesus shed his blood while we were yet sinners? It means that God has already made provision for the forgiveness of our sins and the only thing we are to do is to ask for it and then receive or accept it. But how would you accept God’s forgiveness and forgive yourself?
How to accept God’s forgiveness and forgive yourself includes the following practical steps:
1. Confess your sins:
The first step on how to accept God’s forgiveness and forgive yourself is to acknowledge your mistakes and confess your sins. This means taking responsibility for your actions and expressing your remorse to God. It’s essential, to be honest and sincere in your confession.
The Bible says in 1 John 1:9 (KJV), “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” This verse assures us that when we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us.
2. Ask God for forgiveness:
After confessing to God, ask Him to forgive you. Ask Him to cleanse you thoroughly with the blood of Jesus Christ. I encourage you to ask God for forgiveness whenever you make mistakes or do something wrong, no matter how grievous it seems.
The act of asking for forgiveness is a humbling experience, and we must do so with a sincere heart. We cannot simply say the words without truly meaning them. So if you have done something wrong, do not hesitate to ask God for forgiveness. He is waiting for you with open arms, ready to forgive and help you move forward.
3. Believe that you are forgiven:
Once you’ve confessed your sins and have asked for forgiveness, it’s essential to believe that God heard you and has forgiven you. The Bible says in Matthew 7:8 that everyone that asks receives, and this also includes God’s forgiveness. So, by faith, you must believe that God has forgiven you.
Believing in God’s forgiveness means trusting in His grace and mercy. It means accepting that He has already paid the price for your sins through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.
4. Let go of guilt and shame:
The next step is to deal with guilt. You must now let go of guilt and shame; otherwise, they will weigh you down and prevent you from experiencing the fullness of God’s forgiveness. Once you’ve confessed your sins and believed in God’s forgiveness, it’s important to let go of any lingering feelings of guilt and shame. (Related article: Am I Beyond Repentance? Am I Beyond Redemption? Here’s the Answer, Discover for Yourself!)
The Bible says in Hebrews 10:22, “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience.” This verse reminds us that we should approach God with a sincere heart and confidence, knowing that our guilty conscience has been cleansed through the forgiveness of our sins.
Psalm 32:5 (AMP) says, “I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I did not hide. I said, I will confess my transgressions to the Lord [continually unfolding the past till all is told]–then You [instantly] forgave me the guilt and iniquity of my sin. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!”
5. Renew your mind:
Forgiving yourself requires a shift in your mindset. Instead of dwelling on your mistakes, focus on the truth of God’s Word. The Bible says in Romans 12:2, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.”
Renewing your mind means meditating on God’s promises and affirming your identity in Christ. It means rejecting negative thoughts and replacing them with positive affirmations.
Remember Romans 8:1, which says, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” This means that if you’ve accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you are no longer condemned for your sins. Dear reader, you are no longer condemned!
6. Embrace forgiveness as a lifestyle:
This is a very important step of how to accept God’s forgiveness and forgive yourself. Forgiveness is not a one-time event. It’s a lifestyle that requires ongoing practice and discipline. The Bible says in Colossians 3:13, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
This verse reminds us that forgiveness is not just about accepting God’s forgiveness and forgiving ourselves. It’s also about extending forgiveness to others. When we make forgiveness a part of our lifestyle, we experience a deeper sense of peace, joy, and fulfillment. Also, when you forgive others no matter what they have done to you or how many times they offend you in a day (Matthew 18:22), you will no longer find it difficult to forgive yourself.
Conclusion:
Having considered how to accept God’s forgiveness and forgive yourself, you must remember that forgiveness has been provided for. Taking these steps outlined in this article can cause you to experience the freedom and peace that come with forgiveness.
It’s important to remember that forgiveness is not always easy, and it may take time and effort to fully embrace it. However, with God’s help and guidance, we can overcome our struggles and find healing and wholeness.
If you’re struggling to accept God’s forgiveness and forgive yourself, take some time to pray and seek guidance from a trusted spiritual leader or your pastor. Remember that you are not alone in your journey, and God is always there to guide and support you.
In the words of the Psalmist, “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:11-12). Let us hold on to this truth and embrace the forgiveness and grace that God has freely given to us. Since God does forgive us freely and willingly, why shouldn’t we do the same for ourselves?
God’s grace!
