Forgive...and Forget?

Verse of the day: Genesis 50:19-20 Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but  God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it  is this day, to save many people alive.

What does it mean to "forgive and forget"? Does it mean that we never remember what has happened or what others have done to us? No. It simply means that we live as if we have forgotten. What does that look like? Joseph was a great example. He had been betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, suffering false accusation, and imprisonment, and after being reunited with them, after many years, he is now mourning the death of his father, Israel. His brothers are fearful that he will now take revenge. We learn a lot from Joseph's response, in respect to what true forgiveness looks like; and it resembles nothing like what I have heard or seen from some of God's children today. I often hear all kinds of excuses for not forgiving. "I can't forgive or love them, so I'll pray that God does it for me." Well, God already does, and did long before the person did what they did to you; and what they did didn't change God's love or forgiveness for them (as it doesn't change for you). "I'll forgive them, but I'll never talk to them again." Sorry, that's not true forgiveness either. If our "forgiveness" still causes division in the body of Christ, it's not real forgiveness. So, what does true forgiveness look like. Joseph was promoted to second in charge of Egypt. He had the power to imprison his brothers or have them killed for what they did. Instead, he refused to put himself in the place of God. God says in His Word that vengeance belongs to Him. Joseph spoke peacefully to them, and refused to recount what they did. Instead, he reminded them that God had a greater plan for him, than the evil they intended toward him. Joseph even took it a step further and continued to comfort them, and spoke to the needs of their hearts. Now that is true forgiveness. All the while he comforted them, it was Joseph who had the greater peace, while his brothers, who were the offenders, had the greater turmoil within. You see, forgiveness is not just about obedience to God, it's also about our peace of mind, and heart. When King David had the opportunity to kill King Saul, he didn't. When King Saul died, King David mourned his death, and even put to death the man who helped him commit suicide on the battlefield; even though King Saul had pursued him for year to kill him. Jesus washed the feet of Judas, knowing he would betray him. The bottom line is that no matter what others have done to us, we have no excuse not to forgive. God commands us (not suggests to us) to forgive others as He has forgiven us, for Jesus' sake. If there is any unforgiveness in our hearts toward anyone, we must seek peace with them, as much as is within our power to do so. That is what God has commanded us to do. To refuse to forgive is to outright disobey the Lord. The peace of mind we seek will only come when we truly forgive, and live as if we have forgotten.