forget-me-not?
"None of the crimes he committed shall be remembered against him." —Ezekiel 18:22
Many elderly people can't remember what they ate for lunch, but can remember what happened in the 1950s. Yet in a figurative way, the Bible speaks of God as being just the opposite. If we change our ways, we can make God forget the past. "If the wicked man turns away from all the sins he committed...none of the crimes he committed shall be remembered against him" (Ez 18:21-22). We can sin seriously and repeatedly for years, but the moment we repent God forgets all those sins, even if we and others refuse to forget them (see also Ps 103:12; 130:3-4).
Yet on the other hand, we can live a righteous life for years, and the Lord can forget that also. "If the virtuous man turns from the path of virtue to do evil...none of his virtuous deeds shall be remembered" (Ez 18:24).
Let's repent of sin and persevere in virtue so God will forget the bad and remember the good. God's Word promises: He "will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him by your service, past and present, to His holy people" (Heb 6:10). Even if a mother should forget the child in her womb, your heavenly Father will never forget you (Is 49:15).
Prayer: Father, I repent of sin that causes spiritual amnesia. May the Spirit remind me and restore my memory (Jn 14:26).
Promise: "If you bring your gift to the altar and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift at the altar, go first to be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift." —Mt 5:23-24
Praise: Constantly feeling guilty for past confessed sins, Rhonda heard a teaching on the true nature of sacramental absolution and was set free anew.
Reference: (Repent and persevere by reading God's word. For an introduction, order our tape series on Overview of the Bible. The six audio tapes start with AV 10A-1. The three video tapes start with V-10A.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Giles H. Pater, August 18 8, 2004
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 23, 2004