“We forgive, we mortify our resentment; a week later some chain of thought carries us back to the original offence and we discover the old resentment blazing away as if nothing had been done about it at all. We need to forgive our brother seventy times seven not only for 490 offences but for one offence.”
–C. S. Lewis.
The verse people always use to justify the saying “forgive and forget” – Hebrews 10:17:
“Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”
I.e. If even God forgets our sins, we should do the same for others who’ve wronged us.
But is this consistent with God’s omniscient, all-knowing nature? How can a God who knows everything forget something?
No, God doesn’t forget. But when He forgives, He promises not to hold our past against us.
Isn’t that forgiveness?
“You will know that forgiveness has begun when you recall those who hurt you and feel the power to wish them well.”
- Lewis Smede.
If unforgiveness is like saying you’d hold your breath until the other person apologizes,
“Forgiveness is to set a prisoner free, and to realize the prisoner was you.”
- Corrie ten Boom.
As to why we should forgive?
Bear with each other and forgive one another
if any of you has a grievance against someone.
Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Colossians 3:13
P/S:
Opening question: “OK, you guys know similes, right? Let’s try this one – ‘As innocent as…?’”
Someone: “A lawyer.”
I laughed at that. What does that mean? ^_^”
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