Forgive and Forget (literally!)

“For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” Hebrews 8:12

God not only forgives, but he also forgets. We need to strive in our lives to be more like him and forgive AND forget. You are not always going to be able to literally forget, but it may actually be possible…

Have you ever noticed how some people remember a lot about their childhood while others don’t? I have a theory about why some people seem to have more memories than others. It’s because some people are story tellers. Those of us who are nostalgic and keep telling our stories remember the events of our childhood more than people who don’t like to talk about the past.

It is virtually impossible to remember things from 10 or 20 years ago unless you think about them at some point in between. When you remember something from that many years ago, you are probably just remembering a memory of a memory. You remember the story because you keep retelling it. I like to preserve certain stories of my life, so I keep retelling them. On the other hand, I choose not to dwell on the bad things that have happened to me.

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8

Forgetting is an important part of forgiving. When someone wrongs you, you shouldn’t keep rehashing it by thinking about it--or even worse--talking about it. If something has already been dealt with, then quit talking about it! We ought to let ourselves forget those unpleasant details that result in grudges against others.

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32

Not only should we forgive others, but we also need to forgive ourselves. Stop talking about your past sins and the sins of others, and it will be easier to forget.

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14

Here is a sermon on Forgiveness to go with this article