One of the most misunderstood spiritual concepts among believers today is forgiveness; largely because many mix up Old Covenant forgiveness with New Covenant forgiveness. They are not the same, and treating them as such will always produce confusion, frustration, and shallow Christianity.
Under the Old Covenant, forgiveness was conditional, repetitive, and remembrance-based. Sins were covered, not removed (Hebrews 10:1–3). Every year, sacrifices were offered, yet the consciousness of sin remained.
But under the New Covenant, forgiveness is final, complete, and remembrance-free.
And this is the forgiveness that concerns us as Spirit-filled believers.
How Are We Expected to Forgive Under the New Covenant?
Not as people forgive us.
Not as we feel like.
Not as the offender deserves.
The Bible tells us, “Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, *forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)
This scripture settles it.
Our standard is not human behavior; our standard is God’s pattern.
We forgive even as God forgives.
That means:
We forgive whether they apologize or not
We forgive whether they deserve it or not
We forgive whether they forgive us back or not
Why? Because forgiveness in the New Covenant is not reactional; it is revelational.
So How Does God Forgive?
“And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” says the Bible in Hebrews 10:17
This is shocking.
God does not merely forgive; He forgets.
When God forgives, He deletes the record.
No replay. No reminder. No emotional residue.
Like a debt fully paid and the receipt stamped “SETTLED” (Colossians 2:14).
If God forgives us and refuses to remember our sins; not because we begged hard enough, but because He loves us, then forgiveness becomes a love issue, not a feeling issue.
“But Pastor, I’m Not God…”
True. You are not God.
But here’s the revelation:
“God is love.” (1 John 4:8)
“The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost.” (Romans 5:5)
It simply means the same love-nature that forgives in God now dwells in you.
Forgiveness is not something you struggle to produce; it is something you allow to flow.
Just like an electric appliance does not generate power but connects to power, forgiveness flows when we stay connected to divine love.
Forgiveness vs Memory
Let’s be clear.
Forgiveness does not always mean loss of memory. You are human, not a hard drive with a delete button.
But forgiveness does mean loss of pain.
Think of it like a healed scar.
You remember the accident, but the wound no longer bleeds.
If every remembrance still comes with:
anger
bitterness
emotional pain
a desire for revenge
Then forgiveness has not yet taken place.
“Let all bitterness, wrath, anger… be put away from you.” says the Bible in Ephesians 4:31.
Holding unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.
The offender may be sleeping peacefully, eating well, and progressing in life; while you replay the offence every night like a broken record.
Jesus said, “When you stand praying, forgive…” (Mark 11:25)
Why?
Because unforgiveness blocks prayer, clogs faith, and poisons love.
Divine Love Forgives and Forgets
Divine love does not keep score.
It does not archive offences.
It does not weaponize past mistakes.
“Love keeps no record of wrongs.” according to 1 Corinthians 13:5, (NIV)
That’s New Covenant forgiveness.
And here is the truth we must accept:
There is no excuse for unforgiveness in the New Covenant.
Not because people are good; but because God is love, and His love lives in us.
Final Word
Forgiveness is not weakness.
Forgiveness is not denial.
Forgiveness is not approval of wrongdoing.
Forgiveness is obedience to love.
And until we forgive as God forgives, we cannot fully walk in the liberty Christ paid for.
shalom!
#pstnath
Jesus is Lord
