Every day we hear about families and nations torn

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Every day we hear about families and nations torn apart by war with each other. Accusations fly. Feelings are hurt. Real damage is inflicted upon the innocent. Fear is followed by counter measures of retaliation. Some call for justice. Others cry out for disengagement. And, along comes some “peacenick” saying we must forgive and forget. What’s that all about? How can that possibly happen? Under what circumstances is it even possible to forgive and forget?

What do the forgiven contribute to the situation?

The same old, same old troubling predicament

God forgets!

The only effective solution: God forgives, but why?

What am I to learn from the way God forgives? Why is this such a hard lesson to learn?

Personal Application and Group Interaction: 1. How are you at remembering the names of people whom you just met? What’s your secret (when you’re on top of things) or why do you think you struggle in this area? 2. God forgives and forgets. What do you think is behind this? How is it that He forgives and forgets when we’ve proven ourselves to be repeat offenders? 3. You’ve probably heard the truism, “You haven’t truly forgiven until you’ve forgotten (the offense). How can that be true? Is that statement more troubling to you than true? 4. If we are to “forgive others as in Christ God forgave you,” what’s your spiritual journey been like in the arena of forgiving and forgetting as God forgives and forgets? 5. When have you been challenged by the way someone wonderfully practiced the godly art of forgiving and forgetting? 6.

How are you struggling with this? Where are you going with it? What are you doing about it?

God Forgives and Forgets! Isaiah 43:25 Pastor John September 28, 2014