When we say “I can’t forgive myself” we are putting ourselves in charge of our own forgiveness. This teeters dangerously close to a different gospel, one of self-salvation.

This particular lie tries to wear shame as a covering, but we know it for what it truly is: pride. We are essentially saying we know better than God when it comes to who is worthy or unworthy of forgiveness.

Verses quoted: Revelation 19:11, Isaiah 55:8-9, John 3:16-18, Psalm 139:1-8, Psalm 77: 5, 1 John 1:9, Psalm 51

Books quoted: Curt Thompson’s The Soul of Shame, Eugene Peterson’s A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, A.W. Tozer’s The Knowledge of the Holy

Articles referenced: 10 Popular Statements That Are Theologically Unsound, 7 Sure Steps of True Repentance (With Help from Psalm 51)

Chara Donahue is a co-author of the Bible study 1, 2, & 3 John: Experiencing Transformation and is working on her next book. She is the founder and editor of Anchored Voices. Get in touch with her on Facebook or Twitter.

Episode Image Credit: Getty/Overearth

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