Accepting Forgiveness

Steve Arterburn

Many of you struggle with a lingering sense of guilt, even after you’ve asked God to forgive you for your sin and you know in your mind that you’re forgiven. The truth is we need to learn to accept God’s forgiveness. ‘In Jesus Christ, I am forgiven.’ This is a statement you make by faith; and as feelings arise that contradict it, affirm it again and again ‘ ‘In Jesus Christ I am forgiven’.

If you think about it, mistakes aren’t just sources of shame in your life; they’re also avenues for grace. Remember why Christ came. Yes, you are a real sinner. But, you have a real Savior! He came to live and die and be raised again so that your sins would be forgiven.

Don’t let your failures discourage you from making an effort. Grace opposes earning, but it doesn’t oppose effort. Don’t think: ‘If I try harder, I will never fail again.’ Instead, think: ‘Even though I might fail, I’m going to try, and by God’s grace, I will go forward. I’ll make progress.’

When you find yourself struggling with accepting God’s forgiveness, take a look at what the Bible says about forgiveness. Then write a letter of what you would say to your wife, your children, or a good friend who was struggling with not feeling forgiven. When you finish, read the letter to yourself, and ask the Holy Spirit to apply the truth of God’s promises to your heart.