For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. (Heb 8:12)We are imputed Christ’s righteousness. Since we have His imputed righteousness, we can be treated as if we had no sin. We are credited Christ’s righteousness and He will treat us as if we did not sin because of Christ’s righteousness.
When we are commanded to forgive others as we have been forgiven, however, we don’t lose the memory as it is in our memory banks. But to forgive others as He has forgiven us, we must give up the right to hold that wrong against that person. We are required to treat them as if they didn’t commit that wrong against us and we cannot hold it against them.
To forget is to have lost a memory. To “remember not” is to not bring to the forefront of one’s mind a memory. Scripture did not use the word “forget” when referring to Him, it uses the word “remember not.” There is a huge difference in the meaning of ‘forget’ and ‘remember not.’
And that’s exactly what He did. He treats us as if we did not sin and does not hold our sin against us. It is as if it is forgotten as it is treated as forgotten. But God did not lose memory of it, He just treats us as if He has no memory of it. He remembers not!
Does God literally forget our sins? No, He does not. Many Christians claim that God forgets our sins but this is incorrect. If it is believed that God literally has no knowledge of a sin we commit, then we have knowledge of something that He doesn’t have. Let’s say we did something and we ask Him for forgiveness, He is merciful to forgive us as the above scripture maintains. However, we have not forgotten the sin, it is in our memory bank. If He literally forgets it, then we have something in our memory bank that He has no knowledge of. Obviously, this is silly.
Fruit of the Word Articles by Zemanta
- God is Omnipotent, An Attribute of God
- Justification and Sanctification
- Predestination
- Repentance – A Lesson from a Six Year Old
- Sovereignty
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_c.png?x-id=8b5b5430-4f95-4e7b-b9ce-31f5809f5750)
No related posts.
19 comments
3 pings
internet elias
March 6, 2009 at 11:24 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Good point. But if think he actually does ‘forget’ forgiven sin. Reason being, because of His supernatural Love, He is quick to truly forgive…as though it never happened. Then He moves on to more Love things. I don’t think He ever looks back on a forgiven sin. And that, literally, it never happened! A pure mind, as His, does not think on unlovely things. Sorry to say, our mind is far apart from His. Though He does desire us to have ‘the mind of Christ.’ Those who have their minds ‘transformed’ by the Holy spirit, too, do not dwell on trivial things such as forgiven sin.
I am internetelias.wordpress.com
RG
November 3, 2010 at 10:17 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Ditto Elias, well said I think Tishrei, is spliting hairs here.
He Remembers No More!!!
“For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” (Jeremiah 31:34)
Pretty cut and dry I think.
RG
.
Tishrei
November 3, 2010 at 9:05 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Pretty cut and dry UNLESS you look up the difference in the words. They are two separate and distinct words with very different meanings. Actually, to understand the difference is really awesome. For instance, let’s say someone has amnesia and therefore they have lost the memory of someone who did them a great harm. There’s nothing to forgive because they have no memory. It takes a lot more to forgive someone while retaining the memory of what they did.
To forget and to remember not, well, that’s a HUGE HUGE difference. God does not lose parts of His memory bank as you are suggesting. That’s actually a very scary concept that God loses part of His memory bank.
Thanks for your comment.
EsseQuamVideri7
December 15, 2010 at 8:28 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I also feel that we need to go to scripture on this and take it as it is.
Hebrews 10:17 17 Then he says, “I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds.”
Hebrews 8:12 12 And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.”
Jeremiah 31:34 34 And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their relatives, saying, ‘You should know the Lord.’ For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know me already,” says the Lord. “And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.”
I will put my faith in the Word. Your comment “Obviously, this is silly.” holds no water when put against: Isaiah 55:8-9 8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
I believe when we think we can figure out God we had better take time and look at our pride.
Tishrei
December 16, 2010 at 9:52 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I agree. That is exactly what I did. I did a word study and there is a huge difference between “remember not” and “forget.” As I outlined in my original post, “remember not” means to not bring to the forefront of one’s mind. “Forget” means to lose the memory. God chose to use “remember not” as opposed to “forget.”
If we think about what that really means, it’s incredible. To say that He forgets means He has lost memory and we now have knowledge that God does not possess. That puts God in the position of knowing less than we do in certain areas and also strips away His omniscience. In other words, God would not be all knowing.
To remember not means that while He does possess all knowledge about every single detail of our lives, He chooses to not bring to the forefront of His memory our sins. He treats us as if we had not sinned.
You are very correct. I have not figured Him out. However, that which He revealed about Himself in His Word, I can be confident that He was very exact in what He is conveying. It is He that chose “remember not” and did not choose to use the word “forget.” They both have very different meaning.
Bart Wisdom
April 8, 2011 at 10:37 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I understand a little of the controversy due to being raised in a very traditional church setting. I can’t remember ever being taught that God forgets our sins but there seemed to be an understanding that He does. I too have been studying this idea and agree with the initial article. I wanted to add another comment to the argument… If God can “FORGET” sin, why did Christ have to die? Why do we need grace? God could just “forget” the sins of man and let us go on our merry way. No need for His wrath to be poured out on man. Also, what about all the sins that have been written down in scripture? Does God not read His own book?
Be not deceived, God in not mocked, whatsoever a man doeth, that shall he also reap… or something like that? It’s scripture. God our Father isn’t quite like our earthly dad. We don’t pull anything over on Him. He IS omniscient.
In all the verses quoted, it can be very easily explained as mercy, grace and pardon through Christ. When a judge rules in the like, it doesn’t mean he forgets the laws broken.
Any comments?
Ben
June 28, 2011 at 10:35 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I agree that it is splitting hairs. The important part to take from all these scriptures mentioned above is that God forgives our sins and will not look to them again. Whether they are in His “memory bank” or not is completely irrelevant, because scripture clearly tells us that He will not remember them again…ever
Tishrei
July 2, 2011 at 12:57 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Hi,
Initially when I read your comment, I agreed that it is splitting hairs. After thinking about it, I realized that there really is a huge difference and it has humongous ramifications. Please let me explain.
Let’s say someone sinned against you and caused you harm. They ask you to forgive them. You forgive them. Yet the memory of their wrong against you remains in your memory but you treat them as if they never sinned against you. You don’t bring it up and you welcome them into your life.
However, what if you develop amnesia and simply cannot remember the act against you. That act of forgiveness is not a big deal anymore because you have no memory of the act.
How sweet it is to be forgiven by God and be treated as absolutely innocent when He retains the memory of our sins and yet treats us as if it never happened. That is true forgiveness.
Blessings,
Glen
January 17, 2012 at 8:20 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Greetings Tishrei, Hope the new year finds you and yours cradled by God.
I am doing research for a friend with a question very close to this same discussion.
>>>That act of forgiveness is not a big deal anymore because you have no memory of the act.<<<
Your quote nails it right on the head.
Glen
"Lov'n the Lord & Liv'n the Life…"
Wally Fortuin
September 11, 2011 at 4:35 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
My question is. If God remember our sins no more. Why will we be judge by Him one day according to our ways on earth?
Heejung
April 27, 2012 at 3:24 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
As to my understanding (Sorry for my bad English), if you are saved in Jesus, then your sins will be burned up in the fire, as well as bad works, like hay. I remember the bible saying this somewhere. But the works done for the glory of God are like pearls, and will not be burned in the fire.
So, if you are truly a believer in Jesus in your heart (And not a person who follows Christian traditions and doesn’t really believe them, I shall explain this in a moment), then your bad works will not be mentioned on judgement day. However, those who are unsaved, their sins shall be talked about. For they have not been washed away by the blood of Jesus.
What I mean by tradition is this; some people celebrate that Santa Claus comes every Christmas, or that the Easter Bunny comes ever Easter; they know Santa and “Peter Rabbit” are not real, however, they celebrate these things or act like they’re real. However, the little children, THEY believe these beings are real. Although not Jesus’ direct point, this shows the genius of His words to believe like a little child.
So, some people are tradition-Christians, who go to church and celebrate Christian holidays and act as though Jesus is real- however, they don’t truly believe it in their hearts. So, as long as you are not like this, and you truly believe in your heart that Jesus is Lord and has repented, rejoice! Your sins will not be read on judgement day!
May Jesus blessings be upon you, my friend
Tishrei
April 29, 2012 at 2:07 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Thank you for your great answer. I have been remiss in answering comments for the past year and when going back, I missed this one.
I also would like to expand on your answer just a little bit. As believers we will be judged as to our ways here in this life but only for rewards since all our sins have been forgiven if we have placed our trust in Jesus for our salvation.
Joy
October 21, 2011 at 4:54 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
With all due respect, I disagree. You are defining God in human terms. You feel that if God does what his Word says and “remembers our sin no more” that we retain knowledge that God no longer has, as if that is an affront to God or makes God less than us. I think it makes God more than us because he can do what we cannot. God is much more than we are and able to do exactly what he says he will do in God terms, not human terms.
JMHO
Tishrei
October 21, 2011 at 10:46 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Hi Joy,
Thanks for your comment. I would like to explain why I disagree with you.
First, whether or not us retaining knowledge that God doesn’t have is an affront is not what I was getting at. What I was getting at is just is not possible. God would not be omniscient and as we know, this is not true. In order for the attribute of omniscience to be true, there cannot be anything that is unknown to Him. If even a small thing is unknown to Him, He is is not omniscient.
God chose His words carefully. We tend to use the words “forget” and “not remember” interchangeably but they really are different words with distinct and different meanings. That is what I was getting at in my post. Since both words are used throughout scripture and in doing a word search, the word “forget” it is not a word God uses towards Himself.
However, it is something He says He won’t do. For instance in Deu 4:31, He states that He won’t forget. 4:31, He states that He won’t forget. For the LORD your God is a merciful God. He will not leave you or destroy you or forget the covenant with your fathers that he swore to them.
Bottom line of what I was trying to get at is that in order for God to be omniscient, there can be absolutely nothing that He does not know. If He forgets something, then there is something that He does not know and He is no longer omniscient. That’s not possible for God.
Joy
October 22, 2011 at 4:49 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
You are changing the wording and thereby changing the meaning. It does not say “God forgets”, which infers an oops on God’s part. It says “he will remember no more”. It is God’s will, not human will at work. It’s his will, his command, which is beyond human capability. He knows that all sin & fall short of the glory of God, but if he says he will remember our sin no more, he will remember no more. God will always do what he says he will do.
Regarding Deu 4…yes, God remembers his promises, keeps his word and part of that word is that he will remember our sin no more. He can do both.
Also, he does not need to remember sin in order to deliver a judgment he has already decided.
I think the debate only comes when the wording is changed. We both agree that “forget” is not an acceptable word there. My point is that this is because it’s not there to begin with.
Tishrei
October 22, 2011 at 2:36 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Hi Joy,
Maybe we are misunderstanding each other but really both of us are saying the same thing. I would point out that you just stated exactly what I said in my original post and that is that God does NOT forget but rather He remembers no more. In fact, I quoted Hebrews 8:12 which states that He remembers no more. In my previous comment to you, I was attempting to show that scripture uses two different words to mean two different things even though people tend to use “forget” and “not remember” interchangeably.
The whole point of my post was that God has not lost memory of our sins (which is to forget) but instead, He remembers them not. If He remembers them not, that means they are in His memory bank (for lack of a better word) but chooses to not recall them to the forefront of his memory.
There are lots of things that are not in the forefront of my memory but I can recall (remember) them if I tried. I can recall things I did when I was 5 years old such as riding my bike or my childhood friends but no matter what, there is no way I could recall what I had for dinner this day 25 years ago. If somehow my mother remembers and told me, I would have to take her word for it but I don’t have any independent memory of it. It simply does not exist in my memory banks and is therefore forgotten.
That is the picture God is giving us — He has not lost His memory but He chooses to not recall our sins.
I’ll have to think about your last statement where you state “My point is that this is because it’s not there to begin with.” I want to think about that because I am not sure what once existed ceases to exist. What I am more inclined to lean is that while something exists, becuase we are clothed in Christ’s righteousness, that is how He views us — through the righteousness of Christ. And because He is looking at us through Christ’s righteousness, He remembers our sins no more.
This has been a fruitful conversation for me. Thank you.
Michael
November 18, 2011 at 4:09 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Serious! Splitting hairs – yes!! Of coarse God doesn’t forget He’s all everything. People know what this means without looking up each word in the dictionary. Why is this even a discussion? Isn’t our efforts better spent towards more important things that God calls us to instead of arguing over words???? Come on people! Lead others to Christ not arguing among ourselves.
Tishrei
November 21, 2011 at 1:50 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
In my opinion, not splitting hairs if people are making the mistake of believing that God forgets. That’s why I wrote this post because of the confusion. It actually speaks to whether or not God is omniscient.
I would agree with you that taking the Gospel to people sure trumps arguing. However, as believers, studying the Word of God is extremely important — understanding finer theological points is gaining a deeper understanding of God.
We should do both — take the Gospel to the nations AND study the Word of God.
Kim
February 28, 2012 at 4:57 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Neat topic grumpy posters.
When was Jesus born? « Fruit of the Word
December 16, 2009 at 9:32 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
[...] Does God Forget Our Sins? [...]
Forgive and Forget – Part 2 at A Joyful Journey
January 17, 2012 at 6:49 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
[...] also found this article entitled Does God Forget Our Sins? Here is a short paragraph that sums it up pretty well : To forget is to have lost a memory. To [...]
Does God Forget Our Sins? « augustine1blog
May 3, 2012 at 2:05 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
[...] http://fruitoftheword.com/2009/03/does-god-forget-our-sins/#comment-3023 [...]