Q&A: 'Forgive and forget' is imprecise; forgiveness is unilateral but restoration of relationship requires the other person's repentance and change.

Mike critiques the hyper-literal misreading of God 'forgetting' sin (from Isaiah) that taught people they must literally not remember wrongs done to them. Forgiveness is modeled on Christ — the price is paid, arms are open — but restoration requires the offending party to come in repentance. Minor hurts may not require a break in relationship; serious patterns (abusive family members) may require no-contact even after full forgiveness. The two concepts — forgiveness and reconciliation — are distinct.