We all make mistakes and fall short occasionally. This is part of being human, but sometimes we have trouble bouncing back. Intellectually we know we’re saved, yet we still beat ourselves up over missing the mark; this means we need to study and meditate on God’s Word regarding forgiveness while reminding ourselves of His unconditional love and acceptance. The times when we feel undeserving of anything except condemnation for what we did are the times when we unexpectedly receive grace from God.
We don’t have to be perfectionists or feel like we have to do everything right. This is unrealistic and puts too much pressure on us. God doesn’t operate by the world’s “leave no room for error” standard. He knows all about the mistakes we have yet to make, and has already forgiven us for them. “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins” (Romans 3:23, 24, NLT).
Too many people lift this Scripture out of context and simply stop at the first verse, but God refused to let it end there. He instead chose to send us His Son to offer us His forgiveness. It’s certainly important to forgive others, but it all starts with forgiving ourselves, first. God’s grace is deliberate and intentional, and is directed squarely at us. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11, NKJV).
Jesus extended favor to the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11), to Zacchaeus, the tax collector who stole from others (Luke 19:1-9), and to the criminal hanging on a cross (Luke 23:39-43); He’s willing to do the same for us. He doesn’t require that we never make any errors, but simply asks for an obedient heart and complete trust in Him. Grace is part of Jesus’ nature, and He extends forgiveness and mercy to everyone who accepts it. “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God” (Ephesians 2:8, NLT).
There’s nothing we can do that’s so bad that God can’t forgive us. He forgave Abraham, a liar; David, an adulterer; and Paul, a murderer; and He forgave us also. Before we were even born, the blood Jesus shed for us on the cross washed away every sin we could ever commit. Whatever reasoning we might use to justify blaming ourselves for our mistakes is no match for the power of God’s grace. “Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more” (Romans 5:20, NKJV).
Forgetting about Jesus’ extravagant, unrestricted favor, especially toward those who depend on Him, results in us dragging ourselves through life under a heavy load of self-condemnation. We desperately need what He can give us. “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly” (Matthew 11:28-30, MSG). His grace is truly a gift.
