Forgive And Forget

Psalm 103:12 (NKJV)
As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

God is omniscient. He knows all things and God’s power is without limit. He knows even the number of hairs on our head and the number of grains of sand on the earth. But, within God’s vast ability to know all things He has just as much power to forget our past sins, when we confess them to Him. When we come to Him with a repentant heart, asking forgiveness of all our sins, He will reward us with eternal life. After salvation, we then can come to Him, often, in confidence and ask His forgiveness in order to renew our fellowship.

God showed this to Israel many times throughout their journey with Him. He showed them His mercy and forgiveness time after time, proving His love and compassion toward His people. David says, “You answered them, O Lord our God, You were to them God-Who-Forgives, though You took vengeance on their deeds” (Psalm 99:8, NKJV). Israel knew that God forgave sin, but He also showed them the consequences of disobedience. Many times God had to discipline them for their sin. This does not show a lack of love on God’s part, it actually shows the opposite. Any father will discipline his child when they are about to hurt themselves, because the father loves the child.

If we come to God in confession, we do not ever need to seek forgiveness again for that particular sin. Once God forgives, He remembers it no more. Confessing a previously forgiven sin shows lack of faith in God and His ability to forgive. It is like telling God that His word and His promises are not true, thus denying His integrity and truth.

When we partake of God’s forgiveness, we must also be willing to demonstrate this to others. When we say that we have forgiven someone for an offense, but yet we harbor it in our heart, this is bitterness. This is not forgetting, but it is replaying the issue in our mind. This not only shows that we have not fully forgiven the other person. It also brings more damage to us than to the other person. All bitterness accomplishes is the fact that it eats away at us and it enrages us again and again. God’s intension for forgiveness is peace. When we practice forgiveness and forgetting the offence, we then can live a blessed life.

Thoughts, comments, objections.



Daniel A. Smith