Forgive AND Forget???

[catofhope]

I did not want to take away from Randy's thread about Forgiving Parents.
Also there is a thread on this topic in the singles forum but wanted to hear from the Fab 40 group.

Does the scripture really tell us to Forgive AND FORGET?

God forgives us *period* that is who he is.
Yes, we also should forgive others.
I have been questioning where the "forget" part of that thought comes from.
Best I can come up with is that we are to "keep no record of wrongs".

We are called to be Christlike which means to LOVE as Christ loves us:
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
- 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Any other thoughts?

 

[bvwsmaker]

I don't think I'll be forgetting (even though some of the wrongs are tougher to remember) because the info will be valuable because it's part of my testimony, plus the value when encouraging others because I do have partial understanding of what they've been through (or I can relate) and probably could help them through the forgiveness process.

It's not holding it against those who have wronged you or giving over that record of the wrong to God to let Him be the one to do something about it. (And more than likely the offense will be found nailed to the cross anyway.)

 

[catofhope]

I am currently working thru forgiving my aunt who reclaimed her trailer she had rented out to me.
I feel terribly hurt and wronged by her actions in regard to all this.
I am willing to forgive because that is what we are called to do.
But I also will not allow myself to be put in a position to be hurt like that again from her.
I can be civil but always feel that is not right either.
She will always be my aunt that I love but we will likely never be close again.

 

[HighLonesome]

Ps. 103: 12 says "As far as the East is from the West, so far has HE removed our transgressions from us."

I kinda think that should be our attitude also but it is difficult.

I also just want to add this for you to think about: 'You might regret it if you don't, but you'll never regret it if you do.'

Good luck with your Aunt.

 

[TheAJKMan]

I don't think the scriptures say to forgive and forget, and you pointed out the keeping no records. My feeling is that we shouldn't forget, but work through all the negative feelings and thoughts that arise. In so doing we learn to become more Christlike. Also, in remembering, we can recognise the same/similar thing again in the future and act on it a lot sooner

 

[Heart of a Seeker]

I think that we make a decision to forgive. Our feelings may not go along with the decision, but I think forgiveness is a process that we have to keep giving to the Lord. Forgetting? I think God can cleanse our minds and hearts from the pain that the person inflicted, but I agree with Randy that sometimes the very thing that caused us the most pain, will become our greatest testimony of God's grace and mercy.

 

[Macatee]

Forgive.....yes in time, mainly because it is something you have to work at. Forget, never...........