Have you ever heard the expression, “I can forgive them, but I’ll never forget”? Perhaps, you’ve said it. I have both heard it and said it on numerous occasions. The question I pose to you today is, is it possible to forgive someone, but not forget?
Last week I was studying and preparing some notes for a message this past Sunday. Through the course of my study, I found my self driving down the path to see what scripture has to say in regards to this commonly expressed notion. What I found repeated several times in both the Old and New Testaments was essentially this,
“This is the covenant that I will make with them After those days , says the Lord : I will put My laws upon their heart , And on their mind I will write them ,” He then says, “And their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” Hebrews 10:16-17
God’s determination and willingness to forget as He forgives is found in chapter 8 of Hebrews, Isaiah 43, Jeremiah 31 and Phillipians 3 to name a few.
As I thought about this and applied it to my own life, I know that I can say I’ve never not forgotten and have still been able to honestly forgive them. As long as I chose to remember the transgression, the would always linger a measure of strife, bitterness, resentment and anger. I’m sorry, but it’s my belief, based on scripture, that those sentiments and forgiveness cannot occupy the same space. Have a blessed weekend.
‘Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.’ Ephesians 4:30-32
In full pursuit of the greatest Trophy,
Scott Pace
