To Forget or not to Forget?

Sermon by Pastor Daniel Khong at the Faith Community Baptist Church, 29 June 2025.

Background

Everyone says that forgiveness is a lovely idea until they have something to forgive - CS Lewis

There is a phrase that says " we should forgive and forget". This is a misconception as mentioned by Ps Melissa is the message preached 1 week back on forgiveness.

Scripture

Isaiah 43:22-25 God said that the Israelites did not call on him, did not seek him not bring to him any sacrifices, but instead sin against God. Yet, God remains faithful and will remember their sins no more.

Jeremiah 31:34 God says the he will remove their sins and remember them no more.

It makes sense that remembering no more is the same as forgetting. But note that God is all- knowing so He cannot forget. One translation uses the phrase similar to choosing not to think of it. Thus, to forgive is to move on...

How do we forgive and move on to new things?

1. Don't Weaponize their Mistake

We take past mistakes and use it as a weapon. Especially in broken relationship, this happens often such that mistakes done 15 years ago is still being brought up. In many cases the person may have forgotten because it was done unintentionally. But the real victim is the one who remembers the wrong. If the person is ready to move on, we should forgive and move on as well.

Forgiveness should be like a cancelled debt, torn in two, burned up and never used against the debtor again.

2. Don't hold on to mistakes

We pay the price if we hold on to the mistakes. It is like taking poison and waiting for the other person to die. God says that he will blot out the sins for His own sake and he will put it behind his back.

We must reach a place where the emotions no longer holds us captive, that we can move on to a new chapter.

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