Forgive But Not Forget?

Thursday, March 2

Forgive But Not Forget?
By: Lori Ennis

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Eph. 4:32

There’s no doubt you know the term– Forgive and forget.

But…gosh, that’s hard, isn’t it? The Bible tells us–no, commands us–to forgive one another and that if we don’t, our relationship with God is not where it should be.

Still. Some transgressions are just…well, they’re impossible to forget.
Here’s good news: The Bible does not command us to forget.

God remembers our sins no more once we’ve repented. Jesus blots them as far as the east is to the west.

But we’re human. And it’s impossible to just erase things that happen in life.

It’s NOT impossible, however, to choose to forgive those who transgress against us. To move forward despite the pain and hurt in a positive way. Despite them not deserving it. Despite it being an atrocity. Despite anything that makes it unforgivable according to the world’s standards.

It’s not impossible to forgive it as Christ forgave because WE’ve been forgiven for so much unforgivable ourselves.

Forgiveness is a choice, and it’s one we’re called to do. But that doesn’t mean we have to forget or pretend that the sin against us never happened. In fact, we often see the power of forgiveness the most when it’s radical. 

When there’s no way that mom will ever forget her child was killed by the drunk driver, but she openly forgave him anyway.

When there’s no way that man could ever forget the baby wasn’t his, but he forgave his wife, and they committed to rebuilding their marriage together.

When there’s no way you could forget the one who condemned you to die, but you washed his feet anyway.

While forgiveness is definitely powerful for the one who forgives (sometimes it’s only for that one), it’s an even more powerful testimony to what Jesus’s radical love looks like.

We don’t have to forget, but we do have to choose to forgive.
And when we do, the world sees Jesus.