Yes, Forgive Yourself (Ephesians 4:26-32)
Gary McManus, 03/06/2022Part of the Mercy series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
March 6, 2022 Ephesians 4:26-32
Yes, Forgive Yourself
4 million websites, 7 Bible verses, no--
25 Bible Verses, then, even FORTY-TWO Bible verses
about forgiving yourself. Thousands of people need help in forgiving themselves.
Pastor found one website and another author who stated: You don’t need to forgive yourself. Because? They said it wasn’t in the Bible. Beware of that sort of reasoning. For example: slavery is in the Bible, automobiles are not. We outlawed slavery and use autos every day since they were invented. Were we wrong?
The phrase “forgive yourself” is not in the Bible. But the Bible does say: Colossians 3:13 “. . .bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; [whoever has a grievance against anyone] just as the Lord forgave you.”
Have you not complained about yourself. . .to yourself? Ever say, “I shouldn’t have done that/said that”? 2 Corinthians 2:7: “forgive and comfort him, otherwise such a one might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.” Excessive sorrow was discussed at Ash Wednesday services.
Source: https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Forgiving-Yourself
There was a popular song in 1999: “My Own Worst Enemy”. Some of us can relate to this song without alcohol. Every addict, in recovery, discovers that they hurt themselves most.
But you don’t have to be an addict to make poor decisions that cause yourself pain.
When people get angry, if they blame someone, it can be others or themselves. Those who don’t work on their anger issues might become violent, including violence to themselves.
The Apostle Paul wrote “Unforgiveness. . . can. . . overwhelm.”
So, what to do?
1. Understand that our Lord stands ready to forgive you. . .
anything and everything. . .in Jesus’ name.
(Acts 2:37-38 , Romans 8:1 )
2. Be imitators of Jesus and forgive yourself.
AND, remember, As you desire to forgive yourself. . . pray for it. See Ephesians 4:32.
Our Lord can redeem your anger. Anger can be energy channeled for good purposes.
Pain can be a motivation for good.
Read John Halligan’s “Ryan's Story: Loved Beyond Belief.”
Forgiveness EVEN in the worst experiences is possible through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Forgiving ourselves is also possible BECAUSE we have been forgiven through our Lord Jesus.
Work on it. Pray for it.
Look at Jesus’ words, Matthew 7:14 and the letters:
Ephesians 4:32, Romans 8:1, Galatians 5:13, 1 Timothy 1:15-16!
Extending grace and kindness to oneself and others is the transformation God effects in those who have received His grace and kindness.
Amen.
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