To Err is Human, and to Forgive is Divine

God created us in His image according to the book of Genesis; This means that God shared the exact nature that He has. God expects us to be like Him, not be Him or to replace Him. Alexander Pope’s “To err is human to forgive divine.” It is a well-used verse during his time and time forward. The truth is that God gave us the remarkable ability to love and forgive just like He does.

As humans, we all make mistakes, and that mistake began in the Garden of Eden a very long time ago. It could be the reason for becoming the perfect imperfection of humankind. However, when it comes to Forgiveness, many of us are quick to forgive as God does, but the matter is our imperfection to hold to that pain. We cannot overcome the power of the mind.

We quickly remember that painful experience even though we say we forgive and do not want to relive it again. If there is resentment remaining, it will come back over and over. It’s not easy to forget, especially if the person that did you wrong never asks for Forgiveness. It usually takes a bigger heart to forgive, and if you don’t forget, it will do you more harm than the One that did you wrong. Forgive and forget is easy to say than done.

Those that don’t have a big heart to forgive may think that it is one-sided favor benefiting the one at fault, leaving the One that is offended as a victim of circumstances and consumed by resentment and living in pain.

Forgiveness frees us from physical and psychological stress, getting depressed, and living an unhealthy lifestyle. There is always a solution to any negativity; we should not talk about it anymore, forget about it, distance ourselves from those wrongdoers, and start to live a life focusing on the giver of life. God doesn’t want us to live in misery. He wants us to enjoy life, continue to help the needy, and enjoy our relationship with Him. God loves the humble, continue to be humble, and lives a happy life.

If God can forgive, who are we not to allow Forgiveness? We are made in His image, and His nature of Forgiveness is embedded in us. We must be aware that we should not ignore it. Let go of the feelings that will only cause heartache and other psychological stress. We must stop feeling angry or resentful towards someone once we have entrusted that Forgiveness. Forgiveness doesn’t mean we concede to their evil act or permit them to keep doing it. We want them to feel the spirit of love, a gift from God that they don’t have.

Several scriptures in the Bible indicate that God forgives and forgets our sins. “I, I am the One who erases all your sins, for my sake, I will not remember your sins.” (Isaiah 43:25 NCV)

14 With one sacrifice, he made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

15 The Holy Spirit also tells us about this. First, he says:

16 “This is the agreement[a] I will make

with them at that time, says the Lord.

I will put my teachings in their hearts

   and write them on their minds.” Jeremiah 31:33

17 Then he says:

“Their sins and the evil things they do—

   I will not remember anymore.” Jeremiah 31:34

18 Now, when these have been forgiven, there is no more need to sacrifice for sins. (Hebrews 10:14-18 NCV)

These passages make it evident that God chose not to remember our sins. However, God, who knows everything, is not forgetful, for He is an all-knowing God. He chose not to remember something, and He forgot nothing. Like God, we must put painful memories behind us. Storing it would not do any good. Sometimes we remember the doer but not the sin, and we try to dig into our mind the offense; doing so will only restore the harm, so why not save the effort for more profitable and godly work?

God removes our sins and saves us from the dwelling place of the unsaved. When we are saved, our sins are completely forgiven. Jesus made a one-time sacrifice that completely removes our sins. In Christ, we are declared righteous before God. The scripture tells us there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. (Romans 8:1) and qualify us to inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5)

“Christ had no sin, but God made him become sin so that in Christ we could become right with God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21 –NCV)

God does not remember our sins, our righteousness through God’s Love in Christ Jesus.

Paul said in Romans 8:31-39

31 So, what should we say about this? If God is for us, no one can defeat us. 32 He did not spare his own Son but gave Him for us all. So with Jesus, God will surely give us all things. 33 Who can accuse the people God has chosen? No one, because God is the One who makes them suitable. 34 Who can say God’s people are guilty? No one, because Christ Jesus died, but he was also raised from the dead, and now he is on God’s right side, appealing to God for us. 35 Can anything separate us from the love Christ has for us? Can troubles, problems, suffering, hunger, nakedness, danger, or violent death? 36 As it is written in the Scriptures:

“For you, we are in danger of death all the time. People think we are worth no more than sheep to be killed.” Psalm 44:22

37 But in all these things, we are ultimately victorious through God, who showed his love for us. 38 Yes, I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor ruling spirits, nothing now, nothing in the future, no powers, 39 nothing above us, nothing below us, nor anything else in the whole world will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:31-39 (NCV)

The word says: “If we confess our sins, he will forgive our sins because we can trust God to do what is right. He will cleanse us from all the wrongs we have done.” (1 John 1:9 NCV) He does not hold our sins over us; He frees us from the bondage of sin and sets us free to experience a new life in Christ Jesus.

“Indeed, it was for my well-being that I had such bitterness; But You have loved back my life from the pit of nothingness (destruction), For You have cast all my sins behind Your back. (Isaiah 38:17 AMP)Paul says: “Brothers and sisters, I know that I have not yet reached that goal, but there is one thing I always do. Forgetting the past and straining toward what is ahead.” (Philippians 3:13 NCV)

“God sent Jesus to demonstrate His great love for us in this way: Christ died for us while we were still sinners.” (Romans 5:8 (NCV) Perhaps the best example is God’s forgiving nature to forgive us through the death of His Son.

Can we forgive? – Forgiveness is Love

“You have heard it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemies.” But I say to you, love your enemies. Pray for those who hurt you. If you do this, you will be the true children of your Father in heaven. He causes the sun to rise on good and evil people, and he sends rain to those who do right and do wrong. If you love only the people who love you, you will get no reward. Even the tax collectors do that. And if you are nice only to your friends, you are no better than others. Even those who don’t know God are nice to their friends. So you must be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. (Matthew 5:43-48 NCV)

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, when my fellow believer sins against me, how many times must I forgive him? Should I forgive him as many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, you must forgive him more than seven times. You must forgive him even if he wrongs you seventy times seven. (Matthew 18:21-22 CNV)

Our Forgiveness can come not only from our mouths but also from our hearts. God sees our hearts and we cannot lie that what we did is true Forgiveness.   When we sinned and asked for Forgiveness from God and God granted that request, sin no more, for God’s Forgiveness made us whole. The penalty for sin is separation from God.

Glory to God in the highest.