March 15

FORGIVE YOURSELF

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

A murderer was condemned to life in prison. Then one day something amazing happened. The guard came and opened the jail cell. "You are free to go. Someone else is taking your place," said the guard. "How can this be? I am still guilty!" said the prisoner. "Your debt has been paid. You are free to leave," said the guard once more. The prisoner decided not to leave. "I cannot allow another to pay my debt," said the prisoner. Because of his pride he chose to remain in bondage.

Imagine the guilt Peter must have felt when he betrayed the Son of God three times by saying he never knew him. Imagine what he must have felt the moment he reunited with Him after the resurrection. The hardest person to forgive sometimes is ourselves. It is especially hard for high achievers to forgive themselves. They think they are above such failure or they can take care of themselves. However, the Bible says we all sin and it is impossible to remedy that sin by ourselves. "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us... If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives." (1 John 1:8-10). The question is not whether we will sin; the question is what we will do when we do sin.

When you come to Jesus with your sin, there is nothing more you can do besides confessing and renouncing your sin. Sometimes it may require restitution with others. However, once you confess your sin and ask forgiveness, it is no longer on the debtors' ledger.

Why not choose to walk free? The prison cell is opened.

Prayer: Confess your sins and receive forgiveness from the Lord; 

declare your freedom from sin and Satan in the name of the Lord.

Scriptural Reading: 1 John 1:5-10