Forgiving Ourselves

Forgiving Ourselves (Written by guest writer David Peterson)

Jesus guides His disciples in prayer when they ask Him how to pray. In Matthew 6:9–13, Jesus teaches them the Lord’s Prayer. Verse 12 records: “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” Jesus is referring to sin here, and He includes this request as something we should ask of God. This is the forgiveness that belongs to all who believe in Christ.

Reverend Charles Swindoll wrote this about the concept of self-forgiveness:

“Scripture never tells us to forgive ourselves. When we try to ‘forgive’ ourselves, we are attempting the impossible. Forgiveness assumes an innocent party has been wronged, and it is the job of the person who has been wronged to forgive. The offending party is the one that receives forgiveness. We are the offender; God is the one who has been wronged, since our sin is rebellion against Him.

By focusing on forgiving ourselves, we have taken the spotlight off of God and pointed it at us—making it doubly difficult to let go of our sin! He has forgiven us. We must simply receive that forgiveness and rest in it. That means releasing those sins we want to hold on to, refusing to revisit them in our minds, and allowing the truth of our forgiveness to cover us with His peace. Absolution from the Lord is far more powerful than absolution from oneself.”

Swindoll is known for his practical biblical teaching, and here he offers this important Christian truth: God forgives us of our sins!

The prolific hymn writer Fanny Crosby wrote “Pass Me Not” in 1868. Its first stanza reads:

Pass me not, O gentle Savior,

Hear my humble cry;

While on others Thou art calling,

Do not pass me by.

Crosby pleads for forgiveness—and she knows that forgiveness comes from our Savior alone.

Let us pray:

Precious Jesus, help us let go of the past and embrace the promise of a brighter future. Teach us to release our guilt and receive Your forgiveness fully. Guide us toward a life filled with hope and light. We place our trust in Your grace, knowing it is the only true path to peace. Amen.