And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more
William MacDonald teaches that God’s forgiveness is complete and immediate, as He not only forgives but also forgets our confessed sins forever.
In this devotional sermon, William MacDonald explores the profound biblical truth that God not only forgives our sins but also forgets them completely. Drawing from key Old Testament passages, he reveals the comforting reality of God’s mercy and the divine paradox of His omniscience and forgetfulness. MacDonald encourages believers to embrace this truth by confessing their sins and living free from the burden of past transgressions.
Text
“And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” (Heb. 10:17)
God’s ability to forget sins that have been covered by the blood of Christ is one of the most soul-satisfying truths in Scripture.
It is a great wonder when we read, “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us” (Psa. 103:12). It is a marvel that we can say with Hezekiah, “Thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back” (Isa. 38:17). It boggles the mind when we hear the Lord saying, “I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins” (Isa. 44:22). But it is even more wonderful when we read, “I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more” (Jer. 31:34).
When we confess our sins, He not only forgives, He forgets instantly. We are not stretching the truth when we say that He immediately buries our sins in the sea of His forgetfulness. This is illustrated by the experience of a believer who was having a ding-dong struggle with a besetting sin. In a moment of weakness, he gave in to the temptation. Rushing into the presence of the Lord, he blurted out, “Lord, I’ve done it again.” Then he thought he heard the Lord saying, “What have you done again?” The point, of course, is that in that split second following confession, God had already forgotten.
This is a delightful paradox-that the omniscient God can forget. On the one hand He knows everything. He counts the stars and names each one. He numbers our tossings and keeps count of our tears. He marks the sparrow’s fall. He numbers the hairs of our head. And yet He forgets those sins that have been confessed and forsaken. David Seamands said, “I don’t know how divine omniscience can forget but I know it does.”
There is one final point! It has been well said that when God forgives and forgets, He puts up a sign reading “No fishing.” It is forbidden for me to fish up my own past sins or the sins of others that God has forgotten. In this respect we must have a poor memory and a good forgettery.
Sermon Outline
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I
- God’s promise to forget sins after forgiveness
- Scriptural assurances of God removing transgressions
- The wonder of divine forgetfulness
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II
- The immediacy of God’s forgiveness upon confession
- Illustration of a believer’s struggle and God’s instant forgetfulness
- The paradox of God’s omniscience and forgetfulness
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III
- God’s forgiveness forbids revisiting past sins
- The ‘No fishing’ sign metaphor
- The call for believers to emulate God’s forgetfulness
Key Quotes
“God’s ability to forget sins that have been covered by the blood of Christ is one of the most soul-satisfying truths in Scripture.” — William MacDonald
“In that split second following confession, God had already forgotten.” — William MacDonald
“When God forgives and forgets, He puts up a sign reading 'No fishing.'” — William MacDonald
Application Points
- Confess your sins promptly to experience God’s immediate forgiveness and forgetfulness.
- Resist the temptation to dwell on past sins that God has already forgiven.
- Emulate God’s mercy by forgiving others and forgetting their offenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can God forget if He is omniscient?
Though God knows all, He chooses to forget confessed sins, demonstrating His mercy and forgiveness in a way beyond human understanding.
What does it mean that God ‘remembers no more’ our sins?
It means God completely removes and does not hold our forgiven sins against us, erasing them from His judgment.
Why is it important not to ‘fish up’ past sins?
Revisiting forgiven sins can hinder spiritual growth and peace, so believers are encouraged to forget as God forgets.
How does confession relate to God’s forgiveness?
Confession is the moment when God forgives and forgets our sins, restoring our relationship with Him.
Can believers struggle with sin after forgiveness?
Yes, but God’s forgiveness remains immediate and complete each time they confess and repent.