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.
— Charles Swindoll (b. 1934), Pastor, Bestsellerautor und Radiosprecher
Topics: Guilt & Forgiveness, Peace & Rest
Occasions: Encouragement, For Reflection
Charles Swindoll
Charles Swindoll (* 1934) ist ein US-amerikanischer evangelikaler Pastor, Autor und langjähriger Leiter des Dallas Theological Seminary sowie des Rundfunkdienstes „Insight for Living“. Er steht für eine alltagsnahe, seelsorgerliche Schriftauslegung und betonte insbesondere die Freiheit der Gnade gegenüber religiöser Gesetzlichkeit, was ihm teils Kritik aus fundamentalistischen Kreisen einbrachte. Für Bibelleser stehen seine Auslegungen heute für eine lebensnahe Anwendung biblischer Texte auf Charakterbildung und persönliche Lebensführung.
All quotes by Charles Swindoll (21)
I am the prodigal son every time I search for unconditional love where it cannot be found.
Henri Nouwen
There are two ways to do good: to give and to forgive.
Augustine of Hippo
God counts on your failure far more than you do yourself.
Hans Peter Royer
The church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints.
Tim Keller
Forgiveness means allowing the other person not to have to be God.
Henri Nouwen
Love keeps no record of wrongs, but bitterness keeps detailed accounts.
Craig Groeschel
John Newton
Tim Keller