Forgive and Forget?

Forgiveness is such a complicated issue. Over the last few weeks I've been thinking a lot about it. Forgive and forget is what we've been taught since we were little kids. While this is a valuable life lesson, the phrase itself is not found in Scripture.

Forgiveness is the act of letting go of a resentment you have against someone. When someone wrongs us we tend to get bitter but Scripture tells us to forgive just like the Father forgave us. It is nearly incomprehensible that the Father in heaven was gracious and merciful enough to forgive us of our transgressions. That in and of itself is humbling, but we are also called to offer forgiveness for the transgressions of others.

But are we called to forget? Scripture says in Hebrews 8:12 that God does not remember our sins. That doesn't seem to make sense on the surface as God who is all knowing can forget them. The neat thing is He chooses not to remember them. Our God makes a conscious effort to not see our former sins.

So does this same concept apply to us? I think the application applies where we are to treat those transgressors as if they never had sinned.

Does that mean that there are no consequences to what we do wrong as people should just forgive and forget what we have done? No there are earthly consequences to our actions. If someone steals something from our church we will forgive him, but he still has to pay his debt to society. He committed a crime. Regardless whether this was a teacher stealing innocence from a student, or a robber stealing a gold crucifix, there is a punishment to pay. Our job as Christians is to forgive them for their sin.

How does this apply to public officials? Are we to just forgive and forget their sins as well? Yet again there are consequences. While someone may be forgiven, confidence and trust will be lost in that individual. It is a consequence.

Our justice and our mercy will never be perfect like our Father in heaven, but we are still called to forgive and to not harbor bitterness. The only way to live the Radical Christian Life is to live a life of forgiveness.