Forgive and Forget
Jeremiah 31:31-34
Tuesday — December 6th
Forgive and forget . A noble goal , but that ’ s not always the way it works in our world . A young woman who in a moment of anger betrayed her friend ’ s secret to the whole class might wish that her friend would forgive and forget . A young man who stands in the courtroom because of one terrible decision might wish that the judge would forgive and forget . The problem is , it isn ’ t likely to happen . One of the hardest facts about earthly living is that when people know our sins , they may never forget them . However , the worst consequence for our sin is not earthly punishment from earthly people . Instead , it is eternal punishment from an almighty God , who should rightfully send us to hell for each and every sin we have done .
As the Israelites sat in exile in Babylon , they had plenty of time to reflect on their sins . If only they hadn ’ t worshipped idols again and again . If only they hadn ’ t completely ignored God ’ s Word spoken through his prophets . But they had done those things – and there was no way that a perfect God was going to forget about it . They deserved to lose not only their place in the Promised Land , but also their place in eternal life .
But instead of that , God sent the prophet Jeremiah to speak beautiful words of comfort to the Israelites , to you , to me , and to every person in the world who feels guilty for sin . Through Jeremiah God said , “ I will forgive their wickedness , and will remember their sins no more .” Because God sent Jesus to take the sins of the world upon himself and die for them on the cross , God considers the sins of his children to be really and truly gone . So far gone , it ’ s as if he doesn ’ t even remember what they were !
Let this be your comfort as you look back at a life which , like mine , is far too full of sins , regrets , and failures . Even if there are earthly consequences for your sins , even if there are people who will never forget what you ’ ve done , in God ’ s sight your sins have already been paid for and are blotted from his memory . Each morning when you wake up and each evening when you go to bed you are now righteous in Christ Jesus .
PRAYER :
Lord , thank you for your faithful love which forgives our wickedness and remembers our sins no more . Help us to live each day in the peace of your forgiveness , and show the same forgiveness to others in our lives . Amen .
ACTIVITY :
Have each person in the family write down a sin they ’ ve done on a scrap of paper , fold it up , and put it into the bowl . Then light them on fire and let them burn completely to ashes . Because of Jesus , this is how God views our sins – they are so completely obliterated that he doesn ’ t even see or remember them anymore .
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