Repentance and Forgiveness

Do only the things you really desire to do. If you make any mistakes, forgive yourself. Continue to do whatever it is in the abundance of your heart, and then forgive yourself if you sin. Forgiveness is the most important thing.

Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
[Luke 6:37]

So if you sin, how do you get forgiven? Forgive. "Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven." It doesn't say "stay away from sin, and ye shall be forgiven." It says forgive and you shall be forgiven.

Never think it's too late. Never think it's over.

"I've sinned too much, I've really done it this time."

Nope. You are forgiven, as long as you forgive yourself and others. In Luke 23, Jesus and two other men are crucified. One of the men says to Jesus "Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom." And Jesus says "Today shalt thou be with me in paradise." Let's look at it in full context:

And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.
[Luke 23:39-43]

What does it mean to repent of your sin? It means to make a decision to do your best to avoid making the same mistake again. If you do make the same mistake again, forgive yourself, and repent again. God looks at your heart, not your actions. A repenting heart is great in the sight of God.

I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
[Luke 15:7]

It's better to make a mistake and forgive yourself, humble yourself, and determine to change course, than to not make any mistake at all.

Let's talk about humbling yourself. We all want to be lifted up by God and get promoted His way. We want our joy lifted, we want our spirits lifted. We want to see life in new ways never imagined before. Humbling yourself will make this happen.

For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
[Luke 14:11]

Think of snowflakes falling during a windy storm. If the snowflakes are thick and wet, they will fall to the ground, no matter how strong the updraft winds. If, however, the snowflakes are light and fluffy, the updraft winds will have no trouble lifting them up. If you want God to lift you up, make yourself small in the world's eyes. If you exalt yourself, you become heavy, and you will fall. If you humble yourself, you become light, and God will lift you up.

Think of it like this. You are a car with an automatic transmission. If you put it in "drive" it will go forward. If you put it in "reverse" it will go backward. Likewise, if you exalt yourself and have a proud heart, you're in "reverse" and you will go backward. If you humble yourself, you'll be in "drive" and you'll go forward. Let's look at another example of humbleness.

Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
[Luke 18:10-14]

God is not interested in your track record. He is interested in your attitude, now. Are you seeking His guidance? Or are you proud in your heart? Do you rejoice in the Lord? Or do you rejoice in what you've accomplished?

Rejoice in the Lord, and He will lift you up. It's a formula that never fails.