Extending His Mercy in all Directions...

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CharliRenee

Member
Staff member
Nov 4, 2014
6,687
7,165
113
#1
Today I read a dear lady's comment, expressing that it is so much harder to forgive herself. Her transparative thought has me pondering…

It resonates with me because I agree so very much. I then think about our call to forgive and how that it also applies to extending mercy to ourselves. However, knowing we are not to do or to do something, agreeing with the word of God, doesn't necessarily mean that our emotions will immediately line up with the will of God.

You know what, though? We are given tools to help us. I will never forget when a Sister in Christ pointed to the parable of the debtors in Luke 7:36-50. It was a few years ago. I was having a weary evening, wrapped up in the shame of yesterdays.

Sobbing, I began reading. By the time I finished the verses, the tears were still there but the contents of them were very different. Finally, I began to not only finally forgive myself right then and there, but was also so grateful, seeing how He used my poor choices and mistakes to help me shine His Glory.

When His Glory shines within, we and others are blessed beyond measure!!!

I am not suggesting that I am thankful for poor decisions made, or circumstances that left me wounded. I am just abundantly cognizant and thankful for the power, mercy and life found in Him and His word, allowing and providing invigorating freedom from regret and shame.

To all who are plagued with haunting guilt, run to Him...each and every time, seek Him. He is waiting to cradle you in His tender loving mercy.
 
Oct 10, 2020
107
36
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#2
If you do not forgive, neither shall yo be forgiven
it is mandatory that we Forgive ourselves, if we
do not forgive ourselves means God has not has
forgiven us. Many people carry around their sins
for a lot of their lives burdened unnneccesarily.
Christ crucifed set us free from sin, the world free.
let us not sit and believe that we are the only ones He missed

May this be our prayer:

thank you Lord for setting me free
from the burden of sin. I glorify You
and believe that as You said, As You died
and rose again, that i will die and then rise again
with You.
 

CharliRenee

Member
Staff member
Nov 4, 2014
6,687
7,165
113
#3
If you do not forgive, neither shall yo be forgiven
it is mandatory that we Forgive ourselves, if we
do not forgive ourselves means God has not has
forgiven us. Many people carry around their sins
for a lot of their lives burdened unnneccesarily.
Christ crucifed set us free from sin, the world free.
let us not sit and believe that we are the only ones He missed

May this be our prayer:

thank you Lord for setting me free
from the burden of sin. I glorify You
and believe that as You said, As You died
and rose again, that i will die and then rise again
with You.
Nice prayer, amen. I like Luke 7:36'50. His mercy reigns as I read through those passages. His words are so potent and healing. His grace abounds!!!! I do not forgive myself or others because of fear that He won't forgive if I do not, but because His grace abounds.
 
Feb 28, 2016
11,311
2,972
113
#4
very nice Post, CR...

hub and I have been taught/convicted by The Holy Spirit that when
we confess our sins, that Christ if faithful and just to forgive us' -
we have to follow suit, as He forgives us, we have to forgive
ourselves, else we are refusing His forgiveness...
AMAZING!!!
:):)
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
24,799
8,103
113
#5
I'm partial to Ezekiel 33, somewhere around the middle... don't remember the exact verse numbers offhand... where it says anybody who has done good all their lives, but suddenly switches around and starts doing evil, all the good they have done won't count for nothing. And anybody who has done evil all their lives, but suddenly gets smart and starts doing good instead, all the evil they have done doesn't matter at all.

Don't matter what you did or how long you did it. All that matters is who you are now.
 

CharliRenee

Member
Staff member
Nov 4, 2014
6,687
7,165
113
#6
I'm partial to Ezekiel 33, somewhere around the middle... don't remember the exact verse numbers offhand... where it says anybody who has done good all their lives, but suddenly switches around and starts doing evil, all the good they have done won't count for nothing. And anybody who has done evil all their lives, but suddenly gets smart and starts doing good instead, all the evil they have done doesn't matter at all.

Don't matter what you did or how long you did it. All that matters is who you are now.
I like that, tyou!!!
 

CharliRenee

Member
Staff member
Nov 4, 2014
6,687
7,165
113
#7
very nice Post, CR...

hub and I have been taught/convicted by The Holy Spirit that when
we confess our sins, that Christ if faithful and just to forgive us' -
we have to follow suit, as He forgives us, we have to forgive
ourselves, else we are refusing His forgiveness...
AMAZING!!!
:):)
Amen, praise His Holy Name!!!
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,173
113
#8
I wonder if asking God for forgiveness and forgiving ourselves is the same thing though.
when we havent forgiven ourselves is it just cos we havent confessed, asked for and accepted Gods forgiveness? Or do you see it as a separate thing?

when I do something wrong and I know its wrong...I tell God immediately and know that He knows all about it already, then I understand He has forgiven me because Im not beating myself up about it but also asking Him to help me to do better.

I dont really think after this 'I should forgive myself for that' its kind of almost automatic or a given that if God has forgiven me and given me grace, I dont need to then add anything extra on top of that and forgive myself. (cos I am not God) .

If someone does something wrong to me Im probably more inclined to forgive already even before they may need to confess because Im human too and know just how imperfect we are.

But that maybe because Im not really a perfectionist. It might be a bit of a different story though for someone who is always claiming they are perfect and righteous though. ie. someone who can never admit they are wrong. (which is why we need to do the confessing part!)
Just wondering if the being perfect then adds an extra layer of unnecessary complexity and burden to our lives...arent we supposed to give this burden to Jesus, whos yoke is easy and burden is light? Theres no shame with him, hes already borne all our shame on the cross.
 

Rosemaryx

Senior Member
May 3, 2017
3,708
4,073
113
62
#9
Consequences of our sins from our past , before we were saved , can make a person feel guilty over and over again...

I went through this over some awful sins I had committed when I was an unbeliever , and the consequences came to haunt me to breaking point...

But God showed me the power of the cross , that Jesus also took my guilt and shame , and now I am healed and can walk on in my faith , knowing that by His grace through faith , I am His daughter...

Now when these passed memories come up in my mind , I know I can immediately cast them down in the name of our LORD and SAVIOR , and say " Jesus took my guilt & shame "...

Consequences do play a roll , and can become over whelming if not casted down in Jesus name...
...xox...
 
Oct 10, 2020
107
36
28
#10
very nice Post, CR...

hub and I have been taught/convicted by The Holy Spirit that when
we confess our sins, that Christ if faithful and just to forgive us' -
we have to follow suit, as He forgives us, we have to forgive
ourselves, else we are refusing His forgiveness...
AMAZING!!!
:):)
I wonder if asking God for forgiveness and forgiving ourselves is the same thing though.
when we havent forgiven ourselves is it just cos we havent confessed, asked for and accepted Gods forgiveness? Or do you see it as a separate thing?

when I do something wrong and I know its wrong...I tell God immediately and know that He knows all about it already, then I understand He has forgiven me because Im not beating myself up about it but also asking Him to help me to do better.

I dont really think after this 'I should forgive myself for that' its kind of almost automatic or a given that if God has forgiven me and given me grace, I dont need to then add anything extra on top of that and forgive myself. (cos I am not God) .

If someone does something wrong to me Im probably more inclined to forgive already even before they may need to confess because Im human too and know just how imperfect we are.

But that maybe because Im not really a perfectionist. It might be a bit of a different story though for someone who is always claiming they are perfect and righteous though. ie. someone who can never admit they are wrong. (which is why we need to do the confessing part!)
Just wondering if the being perfect then adds an extra layer of unnecessary complexity and burden to our lives...arent we supposed to give this burden to Jesus, whos yoke is easy and burden is light? Theres no shame with him, hes already borne all our shame on the cross.