Everyday Heroes: Deliberate Forgetters

I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.

Hebrews 8:12 (NIV)

I, even I, am He Who blots out your transgressions for My Own sake; And I will not remember your sins.

Isaiah 43:25 (NKJV)

Everyday heroes know when to forget. 'Deliberate' means 'planned, studied, intentional' (Collins English Dictionary).

What should we DELIBERATELY forget? All harmful words and every past mistake: not just others’ sins, but also our own! The Lord forgives and CHOOSES to forget. We’re wise when we try to do the same thing!

Why?

Because when we choose to remember pain, dead and gone sins rise to prick us again. Repeated pricks become wounds that don’t heal.

Might the Highest Court make this summary?

  1. Sin came--either through you or against you. If the wrong was yours, then you pled guilty and begged the Good God above for mercy.

  2. When you asked Jesus to represent you, He offered something unprecedented: He took your punishment upon Himself!

  3. Therein, the Judge declared you 'Innocent.' In His Book, your debt is marked 'Paid by Christ.' (But you kept a copy of the transcripts.)

Here's the thing: when you dwell upon your trial, you disregard the price your Savior paid. You’re living in the past, not the present.

BTW: Past guilt is NOT the cross you’re to carry. Your real cross is the duty God assigns. It’s the Great Commission of Jesus Christ– on a narrow path He made just for you. Dwelling in guilt will only hold you back:(.

What about the hateful crimes of others? If you’ve chosen to forgive past attacks, how can you choose to “forget” them? It’s not easy, but you must keep trying. (Performers require FREEDOM to perform.)

Also, remember:

YOUR freedom doesn’t free the attacker. That's a different case our just Lord WILL judge. What if the perp decides to plead guilty and requests the same Defense Attorney? Miracles happen. Be gracious and pray.

P.S. When a bad memory pops in your mind, put it quickly back in the vault marked “GOD’s”.

Everyday Heroes:  (Part 6)

NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God! We’re ALL called to be actors (action stars) for Jesus. We’re ALL called to models of Jesus, and we ALL have gifts, talents, and callings from God–  to multiply them in the world for His glory.

P.S. NO DEVOTION, PREACHER, or SERMON… can begin to replace personal time in the Bible. I wholeheartedly and clear-headedly recommend READING THE BIBLE DAILY.

WARNING: Don’t focus on favorite verses, because out of context, they’re often misinterpreted. I plead with you to READ AT LEAST 1 BIBLE CHAPTER DAILY. How long does it take? An average of 5 to 10 minutes!

Carey Arban