MIRRORS

One of the most difficult feats to overcome is forgiveness of self.  Many of us have been saved from lifestyles of self-destruction, degradation and hopelessness.  Those who have experienced Christ''s forgiveness of sins are grateful for His grace.  Though this should be a glorious event of relief and newfound joy, you might continue to harbor feelings of guilt and self-condemnation.  This is possibly because the final step was not taken to forgive you.  In our flesh, we can forgive but we may never forget.  Satan uses this as a trick to deceive us into believing that God could not possibly love us because of the things we have done in the past.  We cannot forget our past sins because it is not in our power to completely shut them out but we can get to the place where the memories are behind us, instead of constantly pondered and rehearsed in the mind.  A victorious Christian life is available when we choose to forgive ourselves. 

*Martha was a new Christian and church attendee whom God had miraculously delivered from alcoholism.  She was a beautiful young lady but could not forgive herself for the awful things she had done while under the influence of alcohol.  She constantly remembered what she had put her husband through and deeply regretted the shame and torment he endured on her account.  Accepting God’s forgiveness was easier for her than allowing herself to put away the past.  She felt that she would never be a good Christian like everyone else in the church.  What she did not realize is that we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God and only the blood of Christ can wash away the sin and make us right in His eyes.