Before we can love Jesus, do we have to forgive ourselves?
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
Q: There’s a popular teaching in Bible classes today claiming that before we can love Jesus, we have to forgive ourselves. I’ve beaten myself up over sins I’ve committed and have tried to overcome them, but friends say that I must practice “self-compassion” that releases me from the guilt and shame of my mistakes, but it’s not working. I just want to be free from this thing that weighs me down. – D.D.
A: Though we may forgive ourselves, it will never win eternal life in Heaven with Jesus Christ. While a person may forgive themselves for their foolish decisions and actions, or wrongdoing toward another, the outcome leaves a person empty because they’ve not dealt with their sin that is against God. Only He can set us free. Good deeds will not bring comfort to the soul because the bad and hurtful things we do to others are ultimately done against the One who created our souls. It is God who is the great Forgiver. He extends His forgiveness to those who come to Him with a humble heart, desiring to be cleansed.
The soul belongs to God. People have wrestled with the power of sin. It comes in many forms of self-satisfaction. Satan stands before mankind spewing his lies. The Bible says, “Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed” (James 1:14, NKJV). When we give in to desire, Satan scores a victory, and we experience miserable defeat.
People have turned their souls over to Satan, but from the cross of Christ we can hear the Savior say, “I have come to rescue you … come to Me. I bear the weight and the marks of your sin to set you free.” Christ paid the highest price with His precious blood to ransom all who are lost in sin.
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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)
©2026 Billy Graham Literary Trust. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
(c)2026 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
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