Does Forgiving Mean Forgetting?

There is an old saying that goes, “Forgive and forget.”

Scripture tells us plainly that we are to forgive others.

Matthew 6:14-15 (NET) - For if you forgive others their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive you your sins.

It really does not get much plainer than that.

The question remains, “Does forgiving mean forgetting?”

On one hand the argument could be made that one should forget what one has forgiven.

God tells us in scripture that He does not remember our sins when we repent of them.

Isaiah 43:25 (NET) - I, I am the one who blots out your rebellious deeds for my sake; your sins I do not remember.

Of course, God is God and we are not.

Some things are really hard to forget.

Before I was born my mother experienced tragedy twice.

Her first child came into this world suffering a severe handicap.

Both she and my father did everything they could for this child.

Despite their best efforts, he died before reaching the age of two.

Mother’s second pregnancy ended in miscarriage.

Years went by and finally I came along when people my parents’ age were becoming grandparents.

So many times people told Mother, “So, you just decided to have the one child then.”

This hurt Mother.

Most simply did not realize the other heartaches Mother experienced.

She forgave, but she never forgot.

As I have grown older, forgiveness comes more easily.

Forgetting, however, is another matter.

Even Christians can hurt each other without really meaning to.

Years ago someone I know and love wanted to move forward on a plan.

I disagreed.

Without thought they responded with, “You just don’t have any faith!”

That may be one of the most hurtful things one Christian can say to another.

Did I forgive them?

Yes.

Have I forgotten?

Obviously, the answer is no.

Is it possible to forgive without forgetting?

I honestly believe that it is.

For example, a victim of crime should forgive.

If that victim forgets, he or she could be setting themselves up to be victimized all over again.

If a Christian is wounded by another’s words, he must forgive because that is what scripture tells him to do.

Remembering, however, just might prevent him from wounding another in the same way.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, October 28, 2016.

I’ll be back here on Friday, November 4, 2016

A Real Gem

Each of my parents came from large families.

As a result, I grew up surrounded by many uncles and aunts.

I learned so much from each of them.

Each of them helped reinforce the lessons of faith and love my parents taught me.

Each did this through his or her actions and words.

I know the many cousins I have feel the same way.

Time moved on and one by one my parents and each of my aunts and uncles completed their earthly journeys.

This continued until only one of them remained.

I find it quite remarkable that her name was Pearl as we considered her a real gem from God.

Recently, she completed her earthly journey as well.

All those many uncles and aunts I grew up with are now gone.

But the lessons in faith and love they taught endure.

In one sense, an era has ended.

In that same sense another has already begun.

Now the young look to us to reinforce lessons in faith and love.

These are lessons that we must teach with our actions as well as with our words.

We must teach them in whatever time God in his infinite wisdom sees fit to give us.

Deuteronomy 32:2 (NET) - My teaching will drop like the rain, my sayings will drip like the dew, as rain drops upon the grass, and showers upon new growth.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, October 14, 2016.

I’ll be back here on Friday, October 21, 2016