Why Wallow?

Tuesday, November 8

Why Wallow?
By: Allison Hand

I was 20-some years old and sat alone in my car outside a church on a Sunday morning. 
I just couldn’t go in. 

I was thinking about all the things I had done and I knew they were all wrong. I couldn’t go in that building and call myself a Christ follower; it felt like a lie. I hated myself and how I had been living. I had asked God for forgiveness because all over the Bible it speaks about how God forgives every sin. 

But I couldn’t forgive myself. 
No way!
 
I used to think it was strange at first that there is no Scripture in the Bible that speaks about forgiving yourself. Why is that?

I learned it's because that’s not where forgiveness comes from. And that God’s forgiveness sets us free to think anything else about ourselves.
 
“Those who belong to Christ Jesus are no longer under God’s judgment. Because of what Christ Jesus has done, you are free.” (Romans 8:1-2)
 
Paul said he was the greatest sinner of all. Yet he didn’t have a hard time forgiving himself nor did he write letters about wallowing in his sin. Here is what he said:
 
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, to be honor and glory for ever and ever.” 1 Timothy 1:15-17
 
Paul knew that Jesus’s death was powerful enough to take on all sins, not just his own, and rather than focus on his sin, he rejoiced in God’s forgiveness and used it to glorify God. 

He knew there was nothing he could do to change his past or fix what he had done or even try harder. Instead, he received God’s forgiveness in its fullest and praised His Name for the power, grace, and mercy shown over his past mistakes.
 
Join me in boasting about how great a God we have that has the ability to fully forgive all the wrongs we have done and use it as an example for others who need to receive and live in that same forgiveness!