I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more. (Hebrews 8:12)
The devil does everything within his power to keep you from living the life God is calling you to live. Now, there is nothing he can do to nullify your promised eternal life, but he can certainly impair your everyday life . . . if you allow him. One of the sharpest darts in the enemy’s arsenal is to weigh you down with the sins of your past. If he can keep you looking over your shoulder at what is behind you, it will keep you from looking up for the direction God is calling you to take.
It is important to understand that God choosing not to remember is not at all the same as God “forgetting.” God is omniscient. He knows everything all the time, and it is impossible for Him to forget anything. However, in His great mercy, God chooses not to remember the sins we have committed in our past.
Think about it this way: rather than treating us as our sins deserve, God chooses to forgive us and to remember our sins no more. He refuses to hold our sins over our heads by reminding us of our past mistakes. God has determined to cast all our sins behind His back (Isaiah 38:17). Out of sight, out of mind . . . which is a promise that is simply out of this world!
Let me reemphasize that we do not serve a forgetful God. We serve a forgiving and faithful God who says He will never dredge up our past sins again. Therefore, me must not confuse conviction with condemnation. Conviction is when we know we have rebelled against God, are filled with a godly sorrow, and repent of our sins. Condemnation is of the devil, who keeps bringing up our sins to shame us and water down our witness for Jesus.
There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). So the next time the devil hisses in your ear, “Look at what you have done now,” you can respond by telling the accuser, “I am forgiven in Jesus’ name — freely, fully, and eternally!”
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 