Biblical Answer

The Connection between Forgiving and Being Forgiven

When it comes to forgiving ourselves for not being able to pay taxes on time, we must understand the connection between forgiving and being forgiven. The Bible teaches us that forgiveness is not a one-way street, where we forgive others and then expect to be forgiven by God. Rather, it is a two-way street, where our ability to forgive others is directly tied to our ability to receive forgiveness from God. In Matthew 6:14-15, Jesus says, "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." This means that if we are struggling to forgive ourselves for not being able to pay taxes on time, it may be a sign that we are not fully receiving God's forgiveness in our lives.

The Cost of Forgiveness

Forgiving ourselves for not being able to pay taxes on time can be a painful process. We may feel like we are sacrificing our ego or pride in order to forgive ourselves. However, the Bible teaches us that forgiveness is not just about letting go of our feelings, but also about releasing the guilt and shame that we may be carrying. In Matthew 5:26, Jesus says, "But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell." This means that holding onto guilt and shame can have serious consequences in our lives. By forgiving ourselves, we can break free from the weight of these negative emotions and experience the freedom and joy that comes from being forgiven.

Seeking God's Forgiveness

So how do we forgive ourselves for not being able to pay taxes on time? The first step is to seek God's forgiveness. The Bible teaches us that God is a loving and merciful God who desires to forgive us for our sins. In 1 John 1:7, it says, "But if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin." This means that no matter what we have done, God will forgive us if we come to Him in humility and repentance. By seeking God's forgiveness, we can experience the freedom and joy that comes from being forgiven, and we can also learn to forgive ourselves and others. As we walk in the light of God's forgiveness, we can experience the transformative power of forgiveness in our lives.