Sometimes I wonder if the concept of becoming a new creation in Jesus Christ is really acknowledged for what it means.

Recently, a good friend made an interesting observation concerning what seems to be a serious human character flaw. While seeking the Lord’s forgiveness through repentance is sufficient enough to establish a legitimate relationship with Him, many feel the need to take it a step further:

They have to forgive themselves too.

This seems like a noble enough gesture from a worldly perspective. After all, everyone loves humility. But, if I need to include myself in the process, I’d be attempting to resolve a problem outside of the authority of God’s Divine prerogative. And by doing that, I’d be diminishing His sovereignty.

If the individual who stole my twenty-gallon Red Wing crock from my front porch were to repent and return it to me, asking for forgiveness, I’d not only be willing to accept his settlement, but I’d also be authorized to do so under the law.

I’d also be very surprised…

On the other hand, if the same regenerate soul then proceeded to rob the gas station up the street, confessed his guilt and asked for my forgiveness once again, I might even choose to empathize with him, but I’d have no legal or moral authority to pardon his guilt if he’s charged with a crime. That would have to come from the very authority which established the infracted law at the onset. The only legitimate authority to either dispense justice or pardon through natural law lies in its original source—that is, we the people!

In the same manner, no man or woman is authorized to pardon my offenses against the Lord—not even me.

So it seems to me that any reasons I might have for needing to forgive myself for my sins would be self serving, because, as one who belongs to Christ, whatever violable convictions I hold are no longer mine, but His.

The potential to be made new again is available to everyone the Lord has chosen to have ears to hear of His life-giving, redemptive miracle. There is no “newness” in anyone except through the Only One Who is qualified to define it:

“Therefore if anyone [is] in Christ, [he is] a new creature; [the] old [things] passed away; behold, new [things] have come.” [2Cor. 5:17]

I testify to the reality that only Christ can forgive the things I once considered forever unforgivable. I’m simply not capable of forgiving myself. This remarkable renewed nature of the repentant man or woman reveals itself through obedience to the Only Source of real life. And I can tell you that being unshackled from the penalties of my past transgressions goes along way toward overcoming the periodic sting of their lingering consequences.

But, more importantly, the ultimate prize of being made new lies in a contingent promise that the human mind simply cannot fully comprehend—that is, eternal life.

[What’s “eternal life?” see: The Precious Pearl of Life.]

The value of being made new is incalculable. But I can’t do it myself.

“What no eye has seen, or what no ear has heard, and what has never come into a heart is what God has prepared for those loving Him.” [1 Cor.2:9)