"And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors." (Matt. 6:12)
It's amazing how much there is to this little phrase, "Lord, forgive me..."? Often, I work with people who seem to be able to easily forgive and extend grace to others, but when it comes to themselves, they can't be as kind or forgiving. Today, we will look at what we can do to walk through the process of forgiving ourselves. This process of forgiveness is absolutely critical to get to a deep, intimate relationship with God that so many of us crave. For past articles in this series, simply click HERE.
4. Forgiveness of self is critical to go deeper with God.
If we are going to ask God to forgive our transgressions, then it logically means we must also forgive ourselves. Many times people hold themselves to an unrealistic standard that even God does not hold them to. Romans 8:1 says that God is not condemning them, because of what He had Christ do for them on the cross. People need to forgive themselves for what they did or didn't do, what they didn’t know, or what they did or didn't say. You are not perfect and if you are going to be able to get past the mistakes of the past or present, you must forgive yourself, even as God has forgiven you, in Christ. This element will take many discussions and verses to help you see that God is for you and not against you.
Jesus paid the price for your redemption and you must get past making yourself pay the price for your sin. You can begin today living like a forgiven sinner instead of a tortured Christian, who believes in Jesus but must pay for your own sin. This is actually a slap in the face of Christ, if you think about it. He paid it all. Past, present, and future. Live in that reality. You have been given a gift and so much more.
To start the process of truly forgiving yourself, you must get to a place where you see yourself as God sees you. The truth about how He sees us is much more important than what we think to be true, isn't it? Below, I've listed biblical truths about your standing in Christ as a Christian believer. Read every verse and memorize those that speak to you with truth and power about your standing in the family of God. He loves you and you must embrace that in order to accomplish the mission of righteousness and love that God has for you in this world. It is also the only way to enjoy Him and others fully.
I am God's child. John 1:12
Having believed in Jesus as God, He accepts me as His child.
I am Christ's friend. John 15:15
He calls me His friend and He is willing to reveal His plans to me.
I have been justified. Romans 5:1
I have been declared righteous through my faith in Christ's death on the Cross.
I am united with the Lord, and I am one spirit with Him. 1 Corinthians 6:7
I have been bonded to Christ in a spiritual union, which is indissoluble.
I have been bought with a price. 1 Corinthians 6:20
I have been purchased at very great cost to God, so God sees me as valuable.
I belong to God. 1 Corinthians 6:19,20
God claims ownership over me so that He can set me free to live abundantly.
I am a member of Christ's body. 1 Corinthians 12:27
God has incorporated me into the mystical body of Christ presently operative on earth.
I am a saint. Ephesians 1:1
Because of my trust in Christ, God sees me as holy and set apart for Him.
I have been adopted as God's child. Ephesians 1:5
I have been brought into the place of full privilege in God's family.
I have direct access to God through the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 2:18
I can pray and know that my prayers get through because of the Holy Spirit.
I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins. Colossians 1:14
I have been bought out of the slave market of sin and released from the ultimate penalty of my sins.
I am complete in Christ. Colossians 2:10
I have all I need because I need Christ. He and I are a perfectly sufficient unit.
I am free forever from condemnation. Romans 8:1,2
God does not condemn me anymore because of my embrace of Christ.
I am assured that all things work together for good. Romans 8:28
God is so powerful and brings good out of all the evil that comes into my life.
I am free from any condemning charges against me. Romans 8:31
The Devil cannot bring an accusation against me that God will listen to.
I cannot be separated from the love of God. Romans 8:35
Nothing can separate me from the love of God that is Christ Jesus... NOTHING.
I have been established, anointed, and sealed by God. 2 Corinthians 1:21,22
God has planted me firmly to grow in Him. He has specially blessed me and marked me for heaven.
I am hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:3
My real life is hidden with Christ, and all I really am in Christ will be fully displayed when Christ returns.
I am confident the good work that God has begun in me will be perfected. Philippians 1:6
God has begun the process to make me like Christ, and He will not stop.
I am a citizen of heaven. Philippians 3:20
My true home is in heaven with Christ. I am out of place down here.
I was not given a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
God has given me His Spirit to strengthen my spirit and give me new abilities.
I can find grace and mercy in time of need. Hebrews 4:16
Every time I need God's power, His favor, His forgiveness, and encouragement, it is mine in Christ through prayer.
I am born of God and the Evil One cannot touch me. 1 John 5:18
God gave birth to a new creature when I trusted Christ, and the Devil cannot touch that new creation.
I am the salt and light of the earth. Matthew 5:13,14
God has called me to help preserve what is right and good in this world, as well as to show the glory of Christ and how life should really be lived.
I am a branch of the true vine, a channel of His life. John 15:1,5
God has connected me to His inexhaustible storehouse of energy, creativity, and power. All I have to do is stay plugged in to God, and all I need for any assignment will be available to me.
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit. John 15:16
God chose me to be one of His children. I did not get in by mistake. He wants me to show the fruit of the Spirit in my life.
I am a personal witness of Christ's. Acts 1:8
God has empowered me to tell others what Christ has done for me.
I am God's temple. 1 Corinthians 6:19
God has established His eternal presence in my body.
I am a minister of reconciliation for God. 2 Corinthians 5:17
I have been asked by God to tell others that He is not holding their sins against them because Christ died for all their sins. They must accept Christ's payment.
I am God's co-worker. 1 Corinthians 3:9; 2 Corinthians 6:1
God has been willing to work with me to accomplish His will. He has, in some sense, restricted a part of His will to my cooperation. I am working with God.
I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realm. Ephesians 2:6
In terms of my position, Christ says that I carry the same authority that He has as the one seated at the right hand of the Father, the highest position of authority in the universe. Every other being is under that authority, including the Devil.
I am God's workmanship. Ephesians 2:10
God is working on me to bring me to completion and will not stop until He is completely satisfied and ready to enjoy eternity with me in heaven.
I may approach God with freedom and confidence. Ephesians 3:12
My ability to approach God is not dependent on my perfection but on Christ's finished work on the Cross. I have freedom and confidence in Christ to come to God.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
There is not one job that God will ever give me where He has not also supplied all the power I need to complete that job.
We have much to be thankful for as children of God. Just look at the rights and privileges we get for aligning ourselves with Christ! Next time you get down on yourself or feel unworthy or disqualified in some way because of things you've done in your past, go back to these verses and remind yourself who you are and whose you are. He forgives you so that you can forgive yourself. This is one of the most powerful things you can do.
Connect with me on this! I would love to hear about some of your new revelations and how God has impacted your life in this area. Feel free to reach out to me at info@ptlb.com. Remember, your greatest life is just ahead.
In His service,
Gil Stieglitz
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The Fruit of the Spirit explained simply and with relevance for today.
Find out what God is asking from you when He tells you to "be loving" or "practice joy" or "be peaceful," and so on to the people in your life. Get ready to experience life change, deeper relationships, greater success, and more joy. You won't want to miss this one! This book comes with video commentaries from Dr. Gil that accompany each chapter, easily accessible from your smart phone or electronic device.