Bible Question: Is there a bible quote about forgiving but not forgetting the things that people did to you? I can't find it. Thanks in advance! |
Bible Answer: Hi, 3cooks! There's no such Scripture! Just like God helps those who help themselves or money being the root of all evil... much of the sentiment is Biblical but the words have been diluted or altered... When a repentant sinner comes to God asking for forgiveness, God does not make a list of the sins/acts committed, He simply looks into the person's mind and spirit and discerns that person's veracity... once forgiven God will not recall the sin nor hold it over the repentant's head... That's how God is: 18 "Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. 19 If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land; 20 but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword." For the mouth of the LORD has spoken. (Isaiah 1:18-20) 21 "But if a wicked man turns away from all the sins he has committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, he will surely live; he will not die. 22 None of the offenses he has committed will be remembered against him. Because of the righteous things he has done, he will live. 23 Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign LORD. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live? 24 "But if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked man does, will he live? None of the righteous things he has done will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness he is guilty of and because of the sins he has committed, he will die. (Ezekiel 18:21-24) God desires our fellowship, and though He is a vengeful God, He is not a petty God: He is able to forgive and forget! Jesus called us to emulate Him and He gave us a little window on how we are to proceed in God: "...forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who tresspass against us..." Can we forgive and forget? The spirit is willing but the body may not allow it!... yet, if we allow Jesus Christ to rule us, the Holy Spirit would make it a blank slate every time that we forgive others... it is how we should behave! We must forgive as we want God to forgive us... the same mercy that we employ will be measured onto us by God... the same love... the same judgment... the same apathy... the same empathy... Jesus, when asked by Peter how many times we should forgive told him not 7 times but 70 times 7 (...by the time we calculate past the x amount we would have forgotten how many times and just go on emulating our Heavenly Father!); remember the old adage... "practice..." God Bless! Angel |