If we were collecting fabulous, over-the-top verses from Scripture, Hebrews 8:12 has to be right near the top. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” It doesn’t get much better than that. We should be as kind to each other as God is kind to us. We are actually pretty good at remembering other’s sins. Once on a church committee when someone’s transgression was mentioned I asked when this occurred. The answer should have shamed us all. It was over 25 years ago. How dare we as Christians forget to treat others as we would be treated. How dare we as Christians claiming to be like Jesus still remember. If sins are ranked in vileness, I am sure the committee’s sin was much more potent and lethal than the 25-year-old remembered sin.
So why do we do this? I am now going to judge and I am not supposed to do that. But here goes. On a committee it is often about preventing someone’s professional advancement. After all, maybe they might get a position we want.
Well, enough of that. Let’s get positive. Let’s rejoice in the message of Hebrews 8:12. Our God, who is holy and pure; our God who knows all, chooses to forget because He loves us and knows our potential. He knows how wonderful we will be if only given the chance. He knows once we are given eternal life we will grow more and more like Jesus and that makes God so happy. When you love someone you want to be with those you love. God loves us and wants us to be with Him. We are grace personified.
Written by Roger Bothwell on July 16, 2014
Spring of Life, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org