When I look at my hands, I am reminded that I lost my wedding and engagement rings. I was multitasking as I packed for a trip, and I still have no idea where they ended up.
I dreaded telling my husband about my careless mistakeworried how the news would affect him. But he responded with more compassion and care for me than concern over the rings. However, there are times when I still want to do something to earn his grace! He, on the contrary, doesnt hold this episode against me.
So many times we remember our sins and feel we must do something to earn Gods forgiveness. But God has said it is by grace, not by works, that we are saved (Eph. 2:89). Speaking of a new covenant, God promised Israel, I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more (Jer. 31:34). We have a God who forgives and no longer calls to mind the wrongs we have done.
We may still feel sad about our past, but we need to trust His promise and believe His grace and forgiveness is real through faith in Jesus Christ. This news should lead us to thankfulness and the assurance faith brings. When God forgives, He forgets.
The book of Hebrews was written to a Jewish audience who had trusted Jesus as Messiah. Because of their Old Testament background, they were tempted to regress into trusting the Mosaic law instead of Christs sufficiency. So the author speaks of Jesus as providing a superior ministry, a superior covenant, and better promises (8:6).
Consider Gods promise of forgiveness in Hebrews 8:12I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no moreand see how you have every reason to rejoice.