Summary:


You must forget your past in order to move into the great future God has for you. Forgetting and forgiveness go hand in hand, whether it is

forgiving yourself or others. When you forgive, you must forget.
Forgiving and forgetting positions you to receive God's best, and go to
the next level in your life.


  1. You must forget the past so you can move into your future (Philippians 3:12-14).
    1. When you forget what is behind you, you simultaneously reach forward toward what is ahead of you.
    2. Your past is designed to keep you there; however, if you press forward, God has already prepared your recompense.
    3. The Apostle Paul had to release his past identity as Saul, a persecutor of Christians, in order for him to move forward in the ministry to which
      God called him.

  2. God's mercy is new every day (1 Timothy 1:11-16).
    1. Paul obtained mercy for the things he did in his past.
      1. Saul consented to the death of Stephen, a Christian disciple (Acts 7:54-60, Acts 8:1).
      2. Saul had many Christians bound and imprisoned because of their beliefs (Acts 9:1, 2).
    2. God will blot out your transgressions (Isaiah 43:25, 26).
      1. God wipes out your sins for His benefit.
      2. God wants you to put Him in remembrance of His Word rather than your past mistakes and sins.
    3. God is merciful and will not remember your sins when you repent and ask for forgiveness (Hebrews 8:12).

  3. Forgiving and forgetting go hand in hand.
    1. You are to forgive the person who has wronged you, multiple times throughout the day (Matthew 18:21, 22, Luke 17:4).
    2. The apostles asked God to increase their faith so they could forgive in the way He expected them to (Luke 17:3-5).
    3. To forgive by faith means to do it simply because the Word says so, regardless of how you feel.
    4. When you pray, forgive, so that your prayers can be answered (Mark 11:24, 25).
    5. Don't be classified as wicked because you won't forgive others (Matthew 18:21-35).
      1. The servant was considered wicked because he refused to forgive, even though his master had forgiven him of a huge debt.
      2. When you refuse to forgive, you block the power of God from operating in your life.
      3. Healing, deliverance, favor and finances are hindered when you hold unforgiveness in your heart.
      4. If you haven't forgotten about the offense, you probably haven't truly forgiven from your heart.
      5. You must forgive others as God has forgiven you (Ephesians 4:32).
    6. Be quick to repent, quick to forgive and quick to believe what God says in His Word.
    7. In addition to forgiving others, learn to forgive yourself. Forget about the bad things you have done in your past.
Scripture References:
  • Philippians 3:12-14
  • 1 Timothy 1:11-16
  • Acts 7:54-60
  • Acts 8:1
  • Acts 9:1, 2
  • Isaiah 43:25, 26
  • Hebrews 8:12
  • Matthew 18:21, 22
  • Luke 17:3-5
  • Mark 11:24, 25
  • Matthew 18:21-35
  • Ephesians 4:3
Pastor Robert Bagonza
Redeemed Church
www.mrolec.org