When the risen Jesus appeared to His disciples, they couldn’t believe their eyes (Luke 24: 36-49). This was too good to be true. After witnessing His betrayal and death, dare they believe? Grasping the benefits of Jesus’ death and resurrection stretches our comprehension just as His resurrection challenged His disciples that first Easter. Are we really completely forgiven?
To reassure them, Jesus showed them His hands and feet, and “they still could not believe it because of their joy and amazement” (Luke 24:41 NASB).
Has something ever seemed too good to be true? Perhaps you’ve been reluctant to believe that God has forgiven all your sins.
- “As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12 NASB).
- “I, even I, am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake,
And I will not remember your sins” (Isaiah 43:25 NASB).
- “For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy” (Hebrews 10:14 NLT).
Did you notice how Isaiah says God wipes out our sins for His own sake. Why does believing He’s wiped out our sins matter?
Peter Received Christ’s Forgiveness
The disciples couldn’t believe because of joy. Others may struggle to believe they’re forgiven because of shame. Peter believed Jesus had risen, but he probably felt ashamed to see Jesus. So Jesus found Peter (1 Corinthians 15:3-5).
During one encounter He commissioned him to feed His sheep (John 21:15-25). Could Peter have carried out this assignment and confronted the Jews at Pentecost if he were still carrying the regret of having denied knowing Jesus? Receiving Christ’s forgiveness allowed him to forgive himself and perform Christ’s assignment with confidence.
Did King David’s Past Sin Undercut His Confidence?
King David sinned by taking another man’s wife and then trying to cover his sin by having the innocent husband murdered. When the prophet Nathan confronted him, David confessed his sin.
“Then David confessed to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the Lord.’
Nathan replied, ‘Yes, but the Lord has forgiven you, and you won’t die for this sin’” (2 Samuel 12:13 NLT).
David’s sin would infect his household, but God had forgiven him. David wrote Psalms 32 and 51 declaring the joy of being forgiven, restored, and made pure. Yet after his son Amnon raped his half-sister Tamar, David seems to have forgotten God’s forgiveness.
I can imagine David’s thoughts. Who am I to confront Amnon when I’ve done worse? Did a guilty conscience bind and gag David? His passivity led Absalom, another of David’s sons, to avenge his sister’s rape by murdering Amnon. Still David did nothing.
His passivity seems to have encouraged Absalom to lead a rebellion against David. There is no record that David ever addressed either of his sons’ crimes. How could he if he still carried his own guilt?
However, the one who knows God’s forgiveness might counter—who better to confront these sons than one who has fallen and found forgiveness? Who better to share God’s mercy and ability to restore than one who has experienced God’s restoration?
Jesus told Peter, when you return, strengthen your brethren (Luke 22:32). He told David he was forgiven, and David wrote about the joy of being washed clean. But seeing the vestiges of his past sin show up in his children seems to have resurrected paralyzing shame.
Have You Forgiven Yourself?
Jesus removed the sin that separates us from Him on the cross. When we refuse to forgive ourselves, we distance ourselves from Him. God created us for good works (Ephesians 2:10), but if we don’t believe we’re forgiven, how can we carry the good news of Christ’s forgiveness to others. Refusing to release our sin to God sidelines us from the good work He created for us.
Receiving God’s forgiveness by faith restores closeness with God, allows God to work our failings together for good as with Peter, and demonstrates God-pleasing faith. Are you burdened by some past regret? Why not leave it with the Lord today and receive His complete cleaning (1 John 1:9)? Let’s not let shame knock us out of the game.
God created us for good works, but if we don't believe we're forgiven, how can we carry the good news of Christ’s forgiveness? #forgiven, #EasterHope Share on X
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Thank you, Debbie. Such important truth for a joyous Christian walk!
Thanks, Paula. Makes all the difference when we apply God’s forgiveness to our personal regrets.
Debbie what you said about not forgiving ourselves distancing us from Him is so huge. I think we often feel we must punish ourselves and instead of that pleasing the Lord, it damages and hurts us. This was a wonderful post.
Ann, that is an easy trap the devil sets for us.
Well done!
Thank you. Glory to God.
Debbie, this is so good. So true. So freeing. For years I didn’t correct anyone (including my boys) because of my “paralyzing shame” over past sins. It was only as my shackles of shame were broken by receiving forgiveness in Christ that I found the courage to be the kind of person and mom I needed to be. Thank you for sharing this insightful article.
Dawn, thank you for sharing that those chains can be removed. What a beautiful testimony!
This is such an important point. I’ve had trouble recently with deep regrets over something I have already confessed to the Lord. I knew I was forgiven, but that “Who do you think you are to say anything for the Lord” feeling lingered. You’re right, walking around feeling guilty undermines any confidence in doing the Lord’s work. We need to soak our minds in the Scriptures that tell of His mercy and forgiveness. One thing that helped was seeing how the Lord could redeem the situation, as He did with Peter, and still use him.
Barbara, the accuser sure knows our vulnerable spots. I’m so thankful for Peter’s story. It has encouraged me many time.
Living in guilt and regret does paralyze us. Receiving His forgiveness frees us from condemnation and gives us the ability to move forward. Thanks, Debbie, for this important message.
Thank you, Barbara. And thank You, Jesus, for Your forgiveness!
Feeling unforgiven is such an awful state of mind. I’m so thankful to know forgiveness. Thanks Debbie.
I agree, Yvonne. An aweful weight to carry.
Oh thank You, Jesus, for Your sacrifice for us. Through You we are forgiven and set free to love you and to serve others in Your name. How great and awesome You are.
Amen! Thanks, Linda.
Sometimes, maybe it isn’t shame that makes it hard to accept that forgiveness – but sometimes it is hard because we have never been extended such grace before and do not know how to receive it, to hold it. That David did not address his son’s sin is frustrating – I like things tied up – I want the details, to know how it worked out. The silence is so loud on this. I am so glad God forgives and redeems!!! Thank you for this break-down!
I agree, Maryleigh. But David had written two Psalms about the joy of being cleansed. What a warning to us that we can forget the grace we’ve been given when our enemy, be the flesh or the devil, flings our past in our faces.