While driving in my car listening to a local Christian radio station, a woman that represented herself as someone that would know asked another woman if her counselor told her to forgive herself. The second woman replied in the negative. The first woman reacted in the affirmative then went on to imply that forgiving ones self was not Biblical. Have we come so far from our Lord that we can believe that we are to hold to ourselves the sins that our Lord died to free us from? If we hold on to the sin then we are denying Jesus Christ. The woman that gave pretense of knowing something continued to imply that because there was no direct command to forgive your self in the Bible that it was not Biblical. Forgive them Father for they know not.

For what reason would we want to not forgive ourselves or maybe what should be asked is why would someone want us to not forgive our self? If one does not forgive others, they will also not forgive themselves. Instead they will project their sins on others. In turn, others that don’t forgive themselves make better targets for projected sins. It is easier to convince our self of someone else’s guilt if they carry some of their own around with them. Also, misery loves company. Another reason would be payment. There are some that want us to pay them for our sins. They want us to feel guilty and pay them to make us feel better. No thank you. Jesus the Christ paid for me and stamped me PAID IN FULL. Woe to those who decree unrighteous decrees, who write misfortune, they have prescribed to rob the needy and to take what is right from the poor of my people.

While we are on the subject of people saying stuff isn’t Biblical, I would like to talk about good Samaritans. I have heard more than one professing container of knowledge say that being good doesn’t get you anywhere with God. You have to say a Name, a lot. Speaking the words not actions. What part of the fruits of the Spirit don’t you understand? These things are not done to get or buy the Holy Spirit they are done as a result of having the Holy Spirit. If they are mimicked action they are wasted, I don’t care how many times you chant the Name. It would do one good to read the last thirteen verses of Matthew 25. Lord, when did we see You in need and answer Your need? Do you think the ones on the Kings right hand saw themselves as righteous? Did they do deeds so they could call themselves righteous? No. If so they would not have said, “When lord?” The ones on the left hand of the King replied, “When did we see You and not minister to You.” These saw themselves as righteous. These did deeds so they could call themselves righteous.

Being good with the right attitude does matter to God. It is not possible to do good deeds as matter of habit without God. How can one have fruit of the Holy Spirit without the Spirit? Because someone does not act like you or pray how you pray does not mean that they are not of Christ. Do we pray in public or in private? Do we do good deeds in public or private? Would you rather be seen doing a good deed or praying? Would you rather another person would over hear your kindness to a stranger or your intimate conversation with God? Which do you think is a light on a hill? And while we are at it, let’s judge not.

There are some things worth saying and worth hearing and there are other things said without value. Saying that one is not to forgive him or her self is something said that takes value away. We are told by scripture, God uses the foolish to confound the wise, but we keep lifting us those whose wisdom is made mad with learning. Scripture tells us, the Spirit will bring us understanding but we keep looking for it from pop Christian quotes and seven step rules. The soul is not to be burdened with sins but freed by our Lord. If we hold our sin to us we do battle with the Lord. Saying that good deeds do not matter to God is to say I do not need to love my neighbor or my brother. What can we do for God other than to care for each other? Is it better to say bless you or to be a blessing from God? Is praying for our neighbor, sister or brother not a good deed? Does God answer prayers? Let the Holy Spirit in and listen to Him tell you of God. Let your good deeds flow from the Spirit as a matter of habit not duty. Forgive yourself and let your good deeds matter to God.