Three people say, “I’ll forgive, but I’ll never forget.” The first person (with an honest heart) means that the offense was so troubling that he is sure there will be a daily reminder of it. The second person (with an honest heart) means that he is confident that there will be times when something will jog his memory of the offense. The third person (with a bitter heart) means that he is not willing to fully pardon the offender.
The expression “ forgive and forget ” is not found in the Bible, however the concept is: “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more” (Heb. 8: 12). This was accomplished through Christ (10:1-2; 8:6). Compare to a criminal who is guilty of a crime; yet based on his repentance the judge (according to his mercy) pardons him. This is what God does for us based on our repentance. When we are forgiven He doesn’t hold that crime against us anymore. Jesus commanded that His disciples do likewise: “If your brother sins against you….seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.” (Lk. 17:3-4). Know this, friends, ”…judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy…” (Jas. 2:13).