Forget It!

By Joe Slater     If you want me to do something and I say, “Forget it!”, it means I’m not going to do that. I don’t expect you to erase your memory of what you wanted. If you tell me of a trivial offense someone committed and I say, “Forget it!”, it means put it behind you and move on. I don’t expect you to develop amnesia regarding the slight.     Forget, as used in the New Testament, doesn’t mean to erase your memory; it has more to do with not being concerned or being neglectful. After detailing the rich past he had enjoyed in Judaism Paul wrote, “But one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal . . .” (Philippians 3:13-14). Obviously, he still was aware of his past – he had just written about it! But it was no longer of much concern to him. In that sense he “forgot” it.     Hebrews 6:10 tells us that “God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love.” God, being omniscient (all-knowing), doesn’t literally “forget” anything. But we need not be concerned that God might cease to care about the good works we do. They will always be important to Him.     Similarly, Hebrews 13:16 exhorts us not to “forget to do good and to share.” It’s highly unlikely that a Christian would become unaware that God expects us to do good and share; but we certainly can and sometimes do become neglectful of that obligation.     Should you forget some past grievances and worldly honors? Should you strive not to forget to do God’s word, practice hospitality, and labor in service go God and His people? The point isn’t mere awareness; it’s caring about truly important things while letting others go.

- Joe Slater serves as minister of the Lakeside Church of Christ in Springfield, IL. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: https://www.lakesidecoc.us/