I’ve told more than a few students at Titus 2..,.
There’s lots of places where we are told to come to God in repentance, knowing he loves us unconditionally and ask for and receive God’s forgiveness. Likewise, we are to love and forgive others. But I can’t find any scripture that says I have the authority or ability to forgive myself. I need to humble myself before God, receive his mercy and forgiveness and be a conduit to extend his mercy and forgiveness to others. Forgive others as God has forgiven us. It is in truly knowing God and understanding the fullness of Christ’s sacrifice that we realize that Christ paid the full price so we could be treated so mercifully and be forgiven. If we think we must forgive ourselves, we are diminishing the power and sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice. God is the source and power of all love, comfort, hope, grace, mercy ….. and forgiveness. Whatever it is, let him have it. If you’ve confessed it to him and asked him, he’s already forgiven it. Done. “It is finished”. Don’t carry it another day. If it’s still playing in your head, that’s condemnation from the enemy. Take that thought captive and quit giving him free rent in your thought life.
2/15/2020. CBB