The Bible Says “Forgive and Forget”…. Right?
Here is our dilemma. . . . .
•I know as a Christian I am to forgive others, but I could never forget.
Biblical Message of Forgiveness:
Matthew 18:21–22
Matthew 18:35
Mark 11:25–26
Ephesians 4:31–32
- Forgiveness is a fundamental principle of faith.
True forgiveness is an act of strong faith.
Forgive like God forgives.
So the real question is “How does God forgive”?
Isaiah 43:25
Psalm 103:12
Micah 7:19
Hebrews 8:12
And there it is. . . .
•When God forgives, God forgets!
What is God like?
Is God’s forgetfulness consistent with His unquestionable character?
Here’s what the Bible says . . . . .
- God is faithful and unchanging.
- God does not fain knowledge nor loose knowledge.
- Gods understanding and ways are perfect.
- God is holy and just; no unrighteousness or sin can stand before Him.
- God will punish sin.
So here’s the question of the hour. . . . .
•How could God know about sin one moment and then forget the next?
How could a just God turn a “blind-eye” to wickedness?
And we are supposed to forgive and forget like God?
“Zakar”- Hebrew word for remember which translates “to call something to mind”.
God remembers- calls something to call and act in accordance with that remembrance.
God ceasing to remember our sin is not voluntary amnesia!!
God remembers- offers mercy and forgiveness in Christ.
Still more questions. . . .
But what about His holiness? Does the Lord abandon justice for the sake of mercy? Does God overlook wickedness?
Exodus 34:6–7
God forgives, but does not clear the guilty! He gives mercy, but does not sin must bear it’s consequences though punishment.
Answer: The cross of Jesus.
God remembers- the greater hope is more than a God who forgets but rather. God who forgives .