First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”—though they were offered in accordance with the law. Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Hebrews 10:8-10 (NIV)
Does God "forgive and forget" the sins of our past? Because God is an all knowing, omnipotent God, we know that He does not forget, but does something even greater. He forgives us in full.
Through the blood of Jesus, because of the cross, we are redeemed. Because our Redeemer lives, God loves us completely. We are no longer blemished by the sins of our past because we serve a God who is greater than these things. Sin, death, and eternal damnation, Jesus overcame it all whenever He drew His last breath on the cross. We can live abundant lives of joy, peace, and grace because we have the hope of Heaven, through Christ.
We must draw from the source of God's forgiveness and grace, His peace, and love when we struggle to bless others with these gifts ourselves. Whether it be our children, spouse, an extended relative, or friend, we must strive to view people through the lens of Christ's love, even when they disappoint us. Because Christ has appointed us as His followers, we are held to a higher standard.
The fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control should be ripe and abundant in our lives. When disappointing circumstances leave us feeling weak and unable to provide forgiveness to others on our own, let us rely on the forgiveness Jesus offered to us once and for all, through His blood, on the cross.
Jesus,
Help me to love and forgive others the way you love and forgive me. Not 7, but 7 x 70 times, give me the strength and ability to forgive, to lavish your love upon, and pour out your grace unto others. In Jesus' holy name, amen.