The Last Person I Needed to Forgive

Scripture (Matthew 18:21--22, NKJV):

"Then Peter came to Him and said, ‘Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven."

Devotional:

Last Thursday during church, our pastor asked us to think about someone we still hadn’t forgiven.

Immediately my mind started searching. The man who raped me? No. The officers who beat me? No. People who lied about me? No. People who abandoned me? No.

One by one, every face disappeared. Then it hit me. The only person I hadn’t truly forgiven was myself. I sat there and cried because I realized I was still repeating words that Jesus had already erased.

“You’re just that drunk girl.”

“Who would ever listen to you?”

“Your daughter doesn’t even talk to you much.”

“You’re not qualified.”

Every time I sit down to write my book, those old voices try to convince me that my past is stronger than God’s grace. But here’s the truth… Those voices don’t belong to Jesus. Jesus never introduces us by our worst mistake.

He introduces us as His sons and daughters. If Jesus has forgiven me, who am I to continue condemning someone He has already set free?nHis sacrifice on the cross wasn’t partial forgiveness. It was complete forgiveness. When God looks at those who belong to Christ, He doesn’t see our failures—He sees the righteousness of Jesus covering us.

That night I realized something I’ll never forget: Sometimes forgiving yourself is simply agreeing with what Jesus has already said about you. If He says you’re forgiven… Stop calling yourself guilty. If He says you’re redeemed… Stop calling yourself broken. If He calls you His child… Stop introducing yourself by your past.

Forgiveness isn’t only about setting someone else free. Sometimes it’s about finally allowing yourself to walk in the freedom Jesus purchased for you.

Questions to consider:

1. Am I still allowing my past to define me more than God’s grace?

2. What words do I continually speak over myself that Jesus has never spoken over me?

3. What would change if I truly believed that I am fully forgiven, fully loved, and fully accepted by Christ?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for loving me enough to send Jesus to die for every one of my sins. Thank You that Your forgiveness is complete and that You no longer hold my past against me. Lord, help me stop carrying guilt that You have already nailed to the cross. Silence the voices of shame, regret, and condemnation, and replace them with Your truth. Teach me to see myself the way You see me—not through my failures, but through the righteousness of Christ. Help me forgive myself just as You have forgiven me, so I can walk confidently in the purpose You have prepared for my life. May my testimony never point to how broken I was, but to how faithful You have always been.

In Jesus’ name,
Amen. ❤️