When you read Philippians 3:13 Paul says, he forgets whats behind him and does his best to reach for what is ahead of him. In verse fourteen he goes on to say that he runs straight toward all that Christ Jesus has laid hold of for him. This is a good formula that he establishes for us. One that we could all follow: 1. Forget what’s behind you. 2. Reach for whats ahead of you and 3. Run toward what Christ has obtained for you to possess. The process of forgetting is not always easy. Nonetheless, you must forget on purpose. In other words, if you are going to forget it’s not going to happen by accident, its going to happen on purpose. If you forget where you put your phone, your wallet, or your keys, thats by accident, not on purpose. If you are going to forget a wrong, or a fault, or a hurt. You are going to have to do that on purpose and here’s how: You can forget on purpose by replacing the thoughts of the fault or the wrong with another thought. A positive thought, a scripture, or a prayer. You can also forget on purpose by not rehearsing it. Thats right! The more you talk about it, the more you will think about it. And, the more you think about it, the more you will talk about it. Stop the cycle and let it go! Jesus forgave so that we could forgive, forget, and be forgiven. *(Lk 24) Some of last few words He spoke were words of forgiveness: He forgave the thief on the cross… “this day you will be with me in paradise.” He said, “Father forgive them do they know not what they are doing.” This statement is interesting because there are many times when people are probably vindictive and purposeful with their actions or deeds of hurt and hate. But not always. I believe there are many times when people don’t even realize that what they are doing or saying is hurtful. Jesus covers that when He says, “forgive them for they know not what they are doing.” I believe the next statement of Christ explains how He felt and that He was experiencing. Remember, Jesus wasn’t dying to be forgiven of His sins, He was dying so that we might be forgiven of our sins. Nevertheless in His next statement He said this, “Into thy hands I commit my *spirit” *(pneuma: deep part of one’s being). In other words, publicly, He committed Himself into the hands and care of His Father who cared for Him. I believe Jesus made was difficult, awkward, and private, a public matter. He did this so that we might be empowered. Remember, “Forgiveness doesn’t minimize the fault of the offender, it brings freedom to the offended.” It’s difficult to forgive when you can’t forget. And, it’s difficult to forget, when you can’t forgive. These two crucibles are linked to one another. If you want to freedom you must learn the art of forgiving and forgetting. Forget about what’s behind you and reach for whats ahead of you. Run towards everything that Christ has laid hold of for you: Salvation, healing, peace, joy, strength, hope, and forgiveness. Forgive those that don’t deserve it. Forgive those that do. Forgive and forget! It’s easy, but it is worth it! Why is it so difficult to forgive and forget?
5 Reasons Why It’s Hard to Forgive and Forget:
1. You feel like you are letting the person off the hook or minimizing the fault.
2. You want to rehearse and nurse the fault, instead of releasing it while being empowered, liberated, and healed.
3. You want to talk about it; therefore you can’t forget about it, and, no one else can either.
4. You verbalize it because you want others to know what you’ve experienced and how you feel.
5. You want to get back at or at least allow the offender to feel what you have felt and are dealing with internally.
Here are 5 Ways to Forgive and Forget:
- “Confess forgiveness not the fault.”
- “Release it, don’t rehearse it.”
- “Don’t take it on yourself to repay a wrong. Trust the Lord and He will make it right.” (Proverbs 20:22 GNT)
- “Take it out of your hands and put it in God’s hands.”
- “Deal with conviction and rebuke condemnation.”
Romans 8:1 “There is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ.”
*Christ was convicted and condemned by man. But, He was accepted by God.
(He was convicted and condemned undeservingly. So we wouldn’t receive the condemnation we deserved. We are accepted by God through Christ). He forgave and forgot so that we could be redeemed by grace through faith. He is our example and we must do the same; we must forgive and forget.
It’s hard to forget when you are feeling condemnation or conviction. It’s difficult to forgive when you can’t forget. That’s why: Conviction has to be resolved and Condemnation has to be rebuked.
The cross says there is now no Condemnation for those who belong to Christ.
- Conviction comes from God through the Holy Spirit.
- Condemnation comes from the devil, self, and other people.
- Conviction corrects something that’s not right in your life.
- Condemnation puts you down and makes you feel guilty, miserable and ashamed.
- Conviction is from God’s love for you and His desire to help you be better.
- Condemnation is from Satan’s hatred and his desire to make you miserable.
- Conviction is specific.
- Condemnation is general.
- Conviction has a solution from it’s source.
- Condemnation has no end from it’s source. (It’s only end is found in Christ)
The cross empowers us to conquer our convictions and cast down our condemnations. It Give us the power to forgive and forget.
The God who knows everything chooses to forget. “I will forgive their sins and will no longer remember their wrongs.” (Hebrews 8:12) #forgetit #2018
Ask God for the power and grace to forgive and forget! Conviction comes from God to help you. Condemnation is not from God. It comes from satan, self, and from others. You are not to condemn or live under condemnation. Forgive and forget and live at peace with God, your self, and others. Forgive them and Forget it!
