FORGIVE AND FORGET

This oft-used adage can be misleading. 

It is important to note that the word 'forget' in Scripture, has little to do with the brain's ability to retain information. A person who has experienced abuse may 'forgive' the assailant but will likely never 'forget' what happened. 

The verse, God remembered Noah. (Genesis 8:1) does not mean that the Lord had forgotten about him and suddenly recalled that His beloved servant was in the ark. From a Biblical point of view, 'remembering' means acting upon (God chose to send a wind, causing the flood waters to recede) 'Forgetting' is the opposite ... a refusal to act upon a known situation. 

When God promised 'I will forgive their wickedness and remember their sins no more' in Hebrews 8:12, He did not forget that people sinned, but instead ... chose not to act upon it. (now that His only begotten Son had taken the penalty upon Himself)

And now Christians are admonished to ... Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Colossians 3:13) Those who refuse have forgotten how much their own rebellious acts needed forgiveness. We have wronged God far more than we've been wronged by others. 

Paul put it this way ... Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. (Romans 12:19)

'The Lord's Prayer' should never just be a well-rehearsed invocation. Plumb the depths of each phrase in order to understand its intended meaning for your walk of faith. Jesus emphasized forgiveness ... 

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. Matthew 6:9-13

We are warned in no uncertain terms ... If ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:14-15)

Obviously, such forgiveness is not natural. 

It flows from the Holy Spirit working in the heart of every believer who has surrendered his life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Remember, pilgrim ... under no circumstance do you have the right to harbor resentment, nurture bitterness, or gossip about the offender.