When You Need the Reminder that God Forgives
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You passed that old friend from years ago and suddenly, a pit sprouted in your stomach. While time had passed and you hoped everything was ok now, the issue wasn’t forgotten. The guilt from years gone by flooded over your soul once more and you hoped to quickly move on.
After all, what if she hadn’t forgotten?
What if he remembered the poor choice you made so long ago?
You could feel the shame spread over your mind afresh and you prayed that the flutter you felt in your heart wouldn’t spread into a flush on your cheeks. The weight of sin is heavy and carries consequences; this we know, we’ve experienced it. But even if there are no tangible circumstances, the mental and emotional scars from our mistakes can remain deeply.
As Christians, if we’ve asked Jesus to forgive us of our sin, then the Bible promises he no longer remembers that sin. But as humans, sometimes the hardest person to forgive is…ourselves. If I’m honest with you, the guilt and shame of some of the things I’ve said or done has haunted me. And while I know they are under the blood of Christ, I must reiterate that fact when Satan uses them against me. The best tool against the lies of Satan is truth- the word of God. When you need the reminder that God forgives, then here are some of my favorite reminders that God forgives- Bible verses that proclaim his forgiveness.
I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you.Isaiah 44:22
For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:14&15
He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:14
in him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, Ephesians 1:7
as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:12
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases, Psalm 103:2&3
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:9
Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.Jeremiah 31:34
I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins. Isaiah 43:25
When iniquities prevail against me, you atone for our transgressions. Psalm 65:3
“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds, then he adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” Hebrews 10:16&17
I love that last passage and how the words “then he adds” are in there. As if to say, “Just in case you forget, because I know you are going to, then here is the point.” Isn’t it interesting he only had two laws in the new covenant? Love God. Love others. But when we mess up, his grace covers us. He loves us, has forgiven us, and wants us to walk in his way. No need to be ashamed- you are the child of the King. His grace is sufficient; it more than covers our mess ups.
Just for when you need the reminder that God forgives.
Rachel
Thank you Rachel! I have been dealing with things on my heart (heavy) trying to forgive myself and love myself as well….I needed this 🙂
Thank you for this. This has been my greatest struggle. I pray for forgiveness, beg God to wipe my slate clean and yet still feel my sin hiding in my shadow. I have to learn to forgive myself and trust that God does what scripture says he does. I don’t deserve such a blessing!
Thank you for the reminder 🙂 \
This is exactly how I feel too. I am SO thankful that He forgives AND forgets a truly repentant heart. I just wish I could do the same for myself.
Thank you for these verses Rachel, I just wrote them all in my journal, so I can read them over and over again. May God continue to bless your ministry to others in a very special way.
No one ever says, “I forgive you, self.”
Sunday mornings, we’re taught to forgive others. But, how do we forgive that person in the mirror? Guilt and shame stink. But, one thing I know is this. Guilt and shame lose their power once you cast them into the light. Reveal how you feel. It’s hard sometimes, I know. But, share your feelings with someone you trust. Write a letter to God, revealing all your dirty little secrets. You can tear it up, later. Once you do that, you’ll start to forgive yourself.
great stuff, Michael. Thank you for that!
Thank you for these great reminders that we are free in Christ and forgiven!
Thank you Rachel for the Word of God to remind us that we are covered by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. We do allow Satan to continue to deceive us when we cannot forgive ourselves of our sins. But we have the power of the Lord and can claim and then repeat to Satan that we are the daughters of the King, covered by the blood of Jesus.
Amen!