Forgiveness is a grossly confused concept in our culture, and even in the Christian circles of churches on earth.
Matthew 18:21-22 (ESV) 21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.
Jesus makes a hard to live up to, but critical point to living in the kingdom of God. Forgive, then forgive again. And forgive some more. Never stop forgiving. He doesn’t give any preconditions, no procedures — just the advice to forgive.
On the other hand, how does the culture around us see forgiveness?
Forgive, but don’t forget. That is the popular psychological advice of the day. I mean, really? Forgive, but don’t forget. It not’s really forgiving if you remember, is it? Not in the Biblical sense. Not according to God’s word. In his word, forgiving is forgetting, period. See also Mk. 11.25; Col. 3:12-13