Does God Remember Forgiven Sin?

The Scripture indicates that God forgives our sin and separates it from us as far as the East is from the West and remembers it no more. (See following passages.) However, There is a Judgment of the Saints following the return of Jesus Christ where the redeemed will receive rewards and suffer loss according to their works in this life. (Romans 14:10; II Cor. 5:10) If God cannot remember the sin how could He rightly judge ones works upon the earth?

The key is in the timing of the separation of the sin. Though our sins are forgiven there is still an accounting. (I Cor. 3:13-15) Due process must be served and though sin is forgiven, a trial of our life must take place and a judgment be rendered as to our reward in Heaven. The verdict of "guiltless by reason of redemption by the blood of Jesus" is already determined. The rewards in Heaven are already laid up and ready to be awarded. Past indiscretions have been considered and judged rightly according to God's precise knowledge of our hearts and circumstances. (Matt. 4:22; 12:36)

Once this Judgment known as the "Judgment Seat of Christ" is complete all matters will be settled for eternity and the sins of our natural lives will no longer be an issue. In fact all will be completely forgiven and there will be no more need for a record, remembrance, appeal, correction or anything else. That sin will be remembered no more. The blood of Jesus has erased it from existence. It will not be able to come back to haunt us and in our glorified bodies there will be no more opportunity to sin.


11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
Psa 103:11-13

11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
Hebrews 8:11-12

16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
Heb 10:16- 17