Forgiveness with No Regret

Over the years, I have had several people tell me that they cannot forgive themselves. They probably
mean that they will not forgive
themselves. They make it sound like they are incapable of forgiving themselves.

In either case, this problem is not found in the Bible.
There is no teaching or example of people forgiving themselves or not forgiving
themselves.

My question is, “Who do they think they are—God?” In the
Bible, we find that God is faithful and will
forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If that is true,
we should thank God for this forgiveness and cleansing. If a person feels
unforgiven, it may be that his sorrow for his sin is not godly sorrow. Godly
sorrow leads to repentance, which leaves no
regret.

“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to
salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death” (2
Corinthians 7:10).

If he still has regret, it proves that his sorrow is not
godly. It is worldly sorrow. That kind of sorrow is remorse. It is not godly.
It leads to death. Here are words I hear: “If I were God, I would not forgive
me.” Thank God that you are not God! There is no sin too great for the grace
of God. Grace is always greater than our sin.

“The law was brought in so that the trespass might
increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more” (Romans
5:20).

This post coordinates with today’s reading in the Same
Page Summer Bible Reading Challenge. If you are not in a daily reading
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