“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18 KJV
As humans, we are adept at extending grace to others but struggle to grant that same level of kindness to ourselves whenever we fail to measure up to what is expected of us.
Giving ourselves some grace is not akin to getting ourselves off the hook, nor do we intend to absolve ourselves from the consequences of our spiritual missteps and blunders. Instead, extending some self-compassion means that we humbly honor God’s gift of salvation – acknowledging that we’ve been forgiven according to the richness of His grace.
“Then He adds, ‘Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.’” Hebrews 10:17.
If God Himself can cast our sins “into the depths of the sea” so that they would be utterly forgotten, who are we to keep on beating ourselves up for years on end for sins we’ve already sought forgiveness for and been forgiven for?
“He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.” Micah 7:19.
Giving Ourselves Grace Based on Christian Point of View
Just a few days back, I came across a young woman asking an old man the most invaluable life lesson he could impart to her. To my surprise, the response was very much like what this generation is raving about: Make as many mistakes as you can and don’t regret any of them.
This advice may bode well in some aspects of your professional career, but it can wreak havoc in your life if such counsel is applied in your spiritual walk with God. Embracing one’s mistakes without guilt inadvertently conveys a misleading message to the young.
The Bible says that we are to have a contrite heart, exhibiting true repentance in response to our spiritual failings and stumbles–otherwise, we will not be extended mercy.
As such, we can only give ourselves grace once we have received God’s forgiveness.
For those who are still struggling to forgive themselves of their past sins, here are ways that need to be done to emancipate yourselves of the shame, pain, and guilt that God has already forgiven and freed you from.
Ways to Receive God’s Forgiveness
1. Confession of Sin
Admitting and taking accountability for our mistakes is key to receiving God’s mercy. Nothing can provoke God’s wrath more than a man who’s averse to owning up to his mistakes and dodges taking accountability for veering off God’s path. We must keep in mind that confessing our sins to God is an act of humility, a way to acknowledge the gravity of our mistakes and offenses.
2. Having a Contrite Heart
A contrite heart in the Scripture means “to be broken or crushed in Spirit.” Showing remorse and godly sorrow over our sins is a mark of true repentance and a genuine love for God.
For it is written: “sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken, and a contrite heart.” Psalm 51:17 NKJV
We’re hurt the most when we inflict grievous pain on those we cherish and value in our lives. Thus, we should feel the same with God.
“Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.”
Genesis 6:5-6
3. Receiving God’s Forgiveness
Receive in faith that God has shown us His mercy. Remember David, whom God described as a man after His own heart? Despite the heartrending sins he committed, God pardoned all his wrongdoings because he came before God with a contrite heart and broken spirit.
God understands that we are dust. But though God commiserates with our failings, He, however, requires us to have a repentant, humble heart like David.
Note: Nonetheless, it’s important to note that David was not spared the consequences of his actions. We must be reminded that God disciplines those He loves most. It is His way of straightening out our crooked ways, enabling us to walk along the path of righteous living.
If you’re someone who’s going through a difficult season of life as a result of sin, endure till the end, persevere until God has done His mighty and transformative work on you, allowing Him to forge your character through fire until you become the person He envisions you to be.
4. Forget the Past and Move Forward With God
We should not allow our past sins to rob us of our joy in the Lord. Once we have truly repented of our sins, God is merciful enough to pardon all our iniquities. And though we may suffer some repercussions stemming from our unsavory actions and misdeeds, we will live in peace—knowing fully well that, despite the searing discipline God imposed on us, the Lord always works on our behalf, always having our best interest at heart.
“Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6
We are now new creations in Christ. We must not, therefore, allow our past to drag us back into the abyss of darkness that we have already been freed from through the saving grace of God.
You are loved, forgiven, and treasured.
God has set us free, we must then live our lives to the brim by setting our eyes on the things above and not on the mistakes we’ve made in the past.
Do not let the enemy steal your joy for “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty One who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing.” Zephaniah 3:17
Seeing Yourself in the Light of God’s Truth
Knowing that the joy of the Lord is our strength, we must do our utmost not to allow our past, our inability to extend grace to ourselves to keep us cloaked in gloom and despondency.
Being in a state of self-loathing will make us woefully vulnerable to the attacks and enticement of the enemy. Negative thoughts can begin to fester, making inane assumptions and spewing self-deprecating statements about ourselves— thinking that we have no worth and are unworthy of love and forgiveness.
As such, whenever self-disgusts rears its ugly head, remember who you are in Christ. You are a precious child of God, so treasured and cherished in God’s eyes that He so willingly endured the cross— redeeming you from the fires of hell so that He may give you the gift of eternal life.
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10 NKJV
The Benefits of Giving Yourself Grace
The slate is wiped clean. God has cast your sins to the deepest depths of the sea, reigniting the joy that once filled your heart. And Just like David, may you keep God’s Word hidden in your heart so that you may not stumble again, eschewing every chance of defying God’s commands by not succumbing to the desires of the flesh.
Thus, if you listen to God’s voice, He will again establish your steps, ensuring His Word will serve as your guide, walking with Him in spirit and truth.“Your Word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105 NIV
“Today, if you will hear His voice,
Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion” Hebrews 3:15 NKJV