From another direction:
When it comes to forgive and forget it is hard for me not to recall scriptures that set a precedent. Did God ever forgive Satan for his actions? Was not sickness and death a recurring penalty fot mankind due to Adam and Eve's choices? Then again, doesn't scripture tell us sins were passed on from one generation to another for those continuing to sin? Genesis 3: 14-15, 17-19, Exodus 20:5-6
To me , we are trapped. The Bible says that the "wages sin pays is death" and also that everyone sins. Romans:6-23, Romans:3-20 Even though we are told that Christ erased sin I don't understand why humans still die after Christ reportedly came and went ... why must pain continue? Apparently, God wishes to continue to drive a point home ...
Death as we know it is permanent, or at least I haven't talked to anyone yet who has avoided the sentence. Again, apparently God has limits as to how much he wil take from humans withg out lashing out. Ezekiel 33:12-13
I guess what I am wondering is that if God doesn't simply forgive and forget and we are made "in his image," might this be be the reason it is so difficult for flawed mankind to move on without demanding long-term retribution from an accused offender ?