May We Remember That God Forgets

“Keep me ever mindful of my natural state, but let me not forget my heavenly title, or the grace that can deal with every sin.” (1)

“For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” Hebrews 8:12 ESV

It’s good to assess where we have been as we continue going forward in life. This is particularly true for the Christian who now has a renewed life. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2Cor.5:17 esv) We thank the Lord that He has given us a new nature in Christ, a renewed mind, and a place in heaven. But we still carry with us the old nature while we walk on this earth.

The Puritan writers realized this and embraced it as a reminder of where they had been, and what is the true character of their nature. ‘Keep me mindful of my natural state.’  We do not need to worry about our old sin nature showing up reminding us of where we have been, it’s automatic. And I’m sure, the Puritans experienced the same thing, but they strived to keep it from happening by remembering where they had been. They knew it took only a thought in the wrong direction to land them back in that sin pile that caused their saviors death.

Although they wanted to be reminded of their natural state, they did not want to forget who they really were in Christ. They wanted to remember their heavenly title, where they were going, and the grace and forgiveness that is bestowed on them while on earth in the flesh.  

The Puritans had a way of keeping it real. They were aware of their sin, and desired to be reminded of it to keep it at bay. It wouldn’t be a bad idea for us to do the same in our day. Being constantly aware of our sin nature will help us in our walk with Christ going forward, and when we do sin may we remember that God forgets and will remember our sins no more.

(1)  Bennett, Arthur The Valley of Vision. East Peoria: Versa Press Inc. 2023. Pg. 74