Module 3 Devotionals

How will I ever KNOW that God has REALLY forgiven me?

This is a question I have heard the most over the years of my ministry life. Many times, we simply lack confidence in God that He has forgiven this sin that feels worse to us than any other sin we have ever committed. Many feel led to “make it right” through “works” to ensure God will forgive them.

That need is topped off with our feelings of guilt over our abortion. This makes it very difficult to accept God’s forgiveness. Unhealthy shame also overwhelms us through the voice of the enemy of God who speaks cruel things into our hearts.

If you haven’t forgiven yourself, it can be very hard to know, in your heart, that God has forgiven you. There may be others you need to forgive as well. That lack of forgiveness can hinder you from experiencing God’s amazing forgiveness. There is no sin that God cannot forgive – even abortion!

Colossians 2: 13-14 says – When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.

If we have truly repented and asked God for forgiveness, it has been granted! It is a fact. But facts don’t always give us good feelings. They are just facts. Facts are something we can bank on in our hearts and minds. Receiving the truth of God’s forgiveness into our hearts is more difficult. It takes readjusting our thoughts by speaking the truth to ourselves. We must think and live the truth of God’s forgiveness.

A good way to begin is by visiting Biblegateway. In the “search box,” type in the word “forgive.” Start to read the listed passages to fill your heart with God’s Word relating to this amazing concept of His forgiveness in any situation.

Often we have not forgiven ourselves, which robs us of knowing we have God’s forgiveness. Working through the healing process will free you to experience God’s exoneration. If you are still in denial about any area of your abortion, then it is possible that you may not feel forgiven. God still has more work to do.

Dan Allender, author of the book, A Wounded Heart, says that, “Denial separates the mind from the agony of the heart.”

This is a painful thing to tackle. Your agony over abortion may be keeping something at bay that needs to be brought to the light. You need to examine your heart and pray that if there is something preventing you from knowing and accepting God’s forgiveness, He will reveal it to you so that you can surrender that to Him.

Feeling forgiven is hard, especially if you think your relationship with God is beyond repair. The most essential task you must do is to accept, emotionally, what you already know intellectually. Lean heavily on Scripture that promise unwavering forgiveness from God. A few are outlined below:

Romans 8:1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

1 John 1:9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

 Psalm 130:3-4 If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness.