REALLY Believe? A Discussion About Forgiveness

“There is no one like the God of Israel. He rides across the heavens to help you, across the skies in majestic splendor. [Deuteronomy 33.26]

Do we REALLY believe this?

If we REALLY believed this, how different might our lives look?

How might our lives look if we REALLY didn't believe this?

What should come to our minds first is Jesus. We know Jesus believed without wavering so,we can learn from His example, right? Right.

So, if we really believe Deuteronomy 33.26, our lives will look like Jesus. The things we do will look like the things Jesus did. The things we say will sound like the things Jesus said. The encounters we have will look like the encounters Jesus had. The results we have will look like the results Jesus had.

Who's fault is it if we don't look like Jesus? Is it God's fault? Is it the devil's fault?

How about taking responsibility for not looking like Jesus upon ourselves? I do not look like Jesus because I do not REALLY believe God's Word.

Bless the hearts of all those who immediately say, "Now you can't be so hard on yourself..." but they are wrong. If I do not judge myself, then there is no possible way to repent and be saved.

I heard a line in a movie recently, "You have to forgive yourself." That line caused pause in me when I heard it even though I have been hearing it for years.

As of right now, I no longer believe "I have to forgive myself." If I believe this lie, then I have no need for God Who rides across the heavens to help me. No, forgiving myself is not my grace to give. How could it be? In fact, if I am compelled to forgive myself, then I am actively declaring that I do not need God - and indicates that I do not REALLY believe that God rides across the heavens to help me.

Forgiving myself is the devil's way of convincing me that I don't REALLY need God!

"Forgiving myself" is a doctrine of hell.

I know a lot of people want to defend the "forgiving myself" idea. I have heard it said over and over, "you've been forgiven by God, now, forgive yourself." Let's analyze that. If I have REALLY been forgiven by God, in other words, if I have REALLY repented and been forgiven, then what possible benefit is there of self-forgiveness - IF I REALLY BELIEVE I HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN BY GOD???

Let's talk about the forgiveness of others whom we have offended. If, God's forgiveness is enough, then why do we have to repent to others? Oh, this is good. Our repentance to God is only as good as our repentance toward those we have offended! Yes, we have to repent to God, but that repentance can in no way be genuinely humble if we are not as willing to repent to those we have offended.

The tendency with humans in "forgiving myself" is to mistakenly feel that "forgiving myself" is enough. That is why that doctrine of self-forgiveness is so very dangerous.

So, if I have humbled myself to the point that I can repent to those I have offended, and along with that, genuinely repented to God, then my forgiveness is complete. Here is where I either REALLY believe or not. To feel compelled to forgive myself is the greatest indicator that a faith problem exists in my life and that my remedy is purely my own work and not the work of God Who rides across the heavens to help me. 

Father, forgive me for ever buying in to the self-forgiveness lie. Help me to understand that unrest in my soul in an indicator that I have not genuinely and humbly repented before God and man. Help me understand that faith results in peace - and where there is no peace, there is no faith in You.