Forgiven And Forgotten

Story By
Harrison Woodard

Illustrations By
Donna Rosin

Montana wonders if God will ever forgive him for all the bad things he has done. But when God forgives him, his mistakes are forgiven and forgotten.

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. — Romans 8:1-2 NLT

Spring in Whispering Pines brought out all the glory of God’s Creation. The flowers were in bloom and the air was filled with all the fragrances of life.

Boris, Taffy and Yuki were at the park for another day of fun. They were talking about what God had done for them when Montana joined them.

“Hey guys!” said Montana. “What’s up?”

“We were all sharing the wonderful things that God has done for us lately,” said Boris.

“Like what?” asked Montana.

“Just the other day I wanted to go to the pet salon to get groomed. I asked God and the very next day my parents took me,” said Taffy. “God is so good!”

“What about you, Boris?” asked Montana.

“My Dad was sick and stayed home from work last Wednesday. I asked God to heal him and God said it was already done,” said Boris. “That night he got up and ate dinner and the next morning he went back to work perfectly healed!”

Before Montana could even ask, Yuki added,

“You all remember what God did for me at Christmas. I’ll never forget how much God loves me!”

“God answers all your prayers. But I’ll never be good enough for God,” said Montana.

“Why would you say that?” asked Taffy.

“Montana, God loves you because He created you,” said Boris. “You could never earn His love anyway.”

“You know God loves you, don’t you?” asked Yuki.

“I guess. But do you really think He will ever forgive me for all the bad things I’ve done?” asked Montana.

“You asked God to forgive you and He did a long time ago,” said Taffy.

“I just don’t feel like He did,” said Montana “I want to have the kind of relationship the three of you have with Him.”

“That is exactly what He wants too,” explained Boris.

“Why don’t you talk to him about it?” asked Taffy.

The next day, Montana decided to take a walk and think about everything his friends had said. He left the neighborhood and made his way to the big field just beyond the park. Off in the distance he could see rabbits and squirrels out searching for food.

“Boy, I used to chase those guys all the time. I made their lives awful,” he thought.

He climbed over a fence and into the parking lot behind a shopping center. This used to be his turf. Every cat in Whispering Pines knew not to come near Montana’s dumpsters or they would have a serious fight on their hands.

“I was a very mean cat,” thought Montana.

He climbed back over the fence and walked down the alley where he first met Boris. At the end of the alley were the trashcans that he used to knock over stealing food.

He stopped to stare at the trashcans and think about his life.

“How could God ever forgive me?”

“I was a very mean cat,” thought Montana.

Montana made his way to the park. It was getting late and all his friends were already home. The park was empty except for a few ducks swimming on the pond.

“Did God really forgive me?” he wondered.

He decided he had to talk to God and settle this matter now. He bowed his head and prayed,

“God I’ve done so many bad things. I stole from others. I got into fights…”

God politely stopped him with a question, “Montana, who are you talking about?”

Montana was a little surprised by the question, “Me?”

“I forgave you and forgot everything about your past. Shouldn’t you do the same?” asked God.

“I guess so,” said Montana.

“You’re my child and I love you. And if you do something wrong later on, you just come running back to me and we will make it right together,” said God.

Montana thought about what God said and faith started rising up inside.

“Was there anything I could have done to earn your love?” asked Montana.

“There’s no need for that. I’ve done it all for you. I need you to believe that I love you. And if you know that I love you, you know that I will answer all your prayers. I just need you to trust me completely,” said God.

Montana started to understand what God was saying, “You didn’t answer my friends’ prayers because they are any better than me.”

“Not at all, I answer their prayers because they love me and they know that I will answer all their requests,” said God. “And you know what that means, right?”

“You’ll answer all my prayers too!” exclaimed Montana.

Montana was so excited he ran all the way home. A little while later, he curled up in his bed and settled down for the evening.

“God, you are awesome,” prayed Montana. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” said God.

Montana fell asleep happy. His past was forgiven and completely forgotten. Never before had he slept so well.

THE END

Something To Think About

One of the toughest things for Christians is dealing with condemnation. Satan will try his best to remind you of every bad thing that you have ever done to convince you that God doesn’t love you or has not forgiven you. It is important to cast these thoughts away with God’s Word. When God forgives you, it is completely forgotten. And if God can forget it, you should too and enjoy God’s love and fellowship.

Here are a few words of encouragement from the Bible in confession form. Read these out loud every day and remind yourself what God has done for you. Click on the link to read the verse as it appears in the Bible.

My rebellion is forgiven. My sin is hidden from sight. I am so happy that the Lord has forgiven me and wiped my record clean. – Psalm 32:1-2

God has removed my sins farther from me than the east is to the west! – Psalm 102:12

I am as clean as freshly fallen snow. God removed the stain of sin and made me as white as wool. – Isaiah 1:18

God has swept away my sins like the morning mists. He has scattered my offenses like the clouds and paid the price to set me free. – Isaiah 44:22

I belong to Jesus and I am free from condemnation. – Romans 8:1-2

I am made right (righteous) by faith in Jesus. – Romans 10:1-13

I am a new person in Christ. My old life is gone. My new life has begun! – 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

God purchased my freedom and forgave my sins. – Ephesians 1:6-8

I do not count on my good works. I am saved by faith in Jesus. – Philippians 3:8-9

God has made me alive in Christ. He forgave my sins and canceled all the charges against me. – Colossians 2:13-15

God has forgiven me and forgotten all my sins. – Romans 10:15-18

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