We’ve all done things that we hope no one will remember. It could be something embarassing or possibly it was something horrible.
The phrase forgive and forget brings comfort and peace when facing our past. Often forgiveness comes easier than the forgetfulness. Too many times we remember our own failings and shortcomings long after others have forgotten them.
It is this very reason that I am so thankful for what I found in my Bible reading yesterday. I’ve read these verses hundreds of times before.
In the Old Testament, the Jewish people were required to come to the priests and bring sacrifices for their sins. The priests would offer the animal, blood would be shed and forgiveness would be given.
But…they had to come on a continual basis. Always facing the fact that they had sinned. Never finding freedom, true freedom, to go forward and live in peace. Forgiven but not forgotten. Held as prisoners to their actions.
Until…Jesus came.
“But Christ offered only one sacrifice for sins, and that sacrifice is good for all time. Then he sat down at the right side of God. 13 And now Christ waits there for his enemies to be put under his power. 14 With one sacrifice Christ made his people perfect forever. They are the ones who are being made holy.
15 The Holy Spirit also tells us about this. First he says, 16 “This is the agreement I will make
with my people in the future, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts. I will write my laws in their minds.”
17 Then he says, “I will forget their sins and never again remember the evil they have done.” 18 And after everything is forgiven, there is no more need for a sacrifice to pay for sins.” Hebrews 10:12-18 ERV
Jesus made one offering for our sins. He was the sacrifice and because of what Jesus did God, the Father, has chosen to forgive us and has forgotten all that we have done. He refuses to remember it any longer.
Forgive and forget!
God doesn’t want us living a life of guilt. He doesn’t want us held prisoner to our past. He wants us enjoying the freedom, true freedom, that we can experience because of His love.
“When anyone is in Christ, it is a whole new world. The old things are gone; suddenly, everything is new! 18 All this is from God. Through Christ, God made peace between himself and us. And God gave us the work of bringing people into peace with him. 19 I mean that God was in Christ, making peace between the world and himself. In Christ, God did not hold people guilty for their sins. And he gave us this message of peace to tell people.” II Corinthians 5:17-19 ERV
What a wonderful Father we have! He has forgiven all, forgotten all and He will never bring up our past. Our sins weren’t insignificant, not at all. However, the sacrifice that Jesus made is so much greater than our sins.
I feel like the Apostle Paul in the verses above – God gave me the work of letting people know that we have peace, real peace, with Him.
Thank God for the new life He gave us. If you’re bothered by things from your past tell the Father about it. Talk it out and then walk away knowing it’s Forgiven and Forgotten!