So, would like to get your take on the issue of forgiveness.
I've heard it said to "forgive, but not forget." Meaning, to forgive a sin or transgression against you, but to also learn from the experience.
For example; Say a guest in your home steals something. As a Christian we are to forgive them, however, we're justified in never allowing that person in our home again.
This philosophy I' grew up on, and even heard it echoed in others, even from the pulpit. Yet it does not exist in scripture. In order to forgive, we are supposed to forget.
In one sense, it is impossible to truly forget sins that have been committed against us. We cannot selectively "delete" events from our memory. The Bible states that God does not "remember" our wickedness (Hebrews 8:12). God is all-knowing. God knows that we have “sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). However, having forgiven us, He treats us as if the sin had not occurred. If we belong to Him through faith in Christ, God does not hold our sins against us. In that sense we must "forgive and forget." If we forgive someone, we must act as if that sin had never occurred.
By not forgetting, it is argued, that it prevents any true reconciliation. Surely one is not called to blindly forgive and forget, but if one is truly repentant, then we're called to forgive, and to follow God's example, are we to live as if the sin never happened. So in the case of the above example, if he's sorry, you should invite the thief back into you home.
And if he steals again? Well, if repentant, we're to forgive and forget again. In fact, we are to forgive up to 70x7 times?
But where does conventional wisdom come into play. Surely if a man sexually molests your daughter, who says he's truly sorry, do you conduct your life as though the sin never happened, ie: let him babysit again? Surely you as a parent have a duty to protect your child, yet to no longer trust this family friend around your daughter means he was not forgiven, because your bitterness over the sin/transgression has altered your view/behavior regarding him.
I've heard it said to "forgive, but not forget." Meaning, to forgive a sin or transgression against you, but to also learn from the experience.
For example; Say a guest in your home steals something. As a Christian we are to forgive them, however, we're justified in never allowing that person in our home again.
This philosophy I' grew up on, and even heard it echoed in others, even from the pulpit. Yet it does not exist in scripture. In order to forgive, we are supposed to forget.
In one sense, it is impossible to truly forget sins that have been committed against us. We cannot selectively "delete" events from our memory. The Bible states that God does not "remember" our wickedness (Hebrews 8:12). God is all-knowing. God knows that we have “sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). However, having forgiven us, He treats us as if the sin had not occurred. If we belong to Him through faith in Christ, God does not hold our sins against us. In that sense we must "forgive and forget." If we forgive someone, we must act as if that sin had never occurred.
By not forgetting, it is argued, that it prevents any true reconciliation. Surely one is not called to blindly forgive and forget, but if one is truly repentant, then we're called to forgive, and to follow God's example, are we to live as if the sin never happened. So in the case of the above example, if he's sorry, you should invite the thief back into you home.
And if he steals again? Well, if repentant, we're to forgive and forget again. In fact, we are to forgive up to 70x7 times?
But where does conventional wisdom come into play. Surely if a man sexually molests your daughter, who says he's truly sorry, do you conduct your life as though the sin never happened, ie: let him babysit again? Surely you as a parent have a duty to protect your child, yet to no longer trust this family friend around your daughter means he was not forgiven, because your bitterness over the sin/transgression has altered your view/behavior regarding him.
Would that be a loving thing to do (see 1 Corinthians 13:1-3)?
