The Lord's Prayer - 6

THE LORD’S PRAYER ~ 6

"And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors."
- Matt 6:12

We love to talk, sing and preach about how God has forgiven us by the blood of Christ Jesus, but forgiving others ourselves can often be one the of hardest things for us, even as Christians. Others slander us, accuse us, harm us or our loved ones. Sometimes they do so purposely, with intent; other times in ignorance, unintentionally. And we are called to forgive, as He forgives us.

"Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience, forbearing one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."
- Col 3:12-13

My friends, when we humbly accept the call of God on our lives, He forgives us from our past sins (2Pet 1:9). As the Lord reveals His Truth to us, He charges us to forgive others, that we may remain under His forgiving grace.

"Strive for peace with all men, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fail to obtain the grace of God; that no ’root of bitterness’ spring up and cause trouble."
- Heb 12:14-15

Harboring hate or ill-will toward anyone hurts us far more than it does those whom we withhold forgiveness. It will hurt us spiritually, as well as emotionally, and even times physically. Jesus, who soon would forgive even those who crucified Him, spoke often on this eternal Kingdom principle -
“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses."
- Mark 11:25-26

Just as Jesus taught us to treat one another the way we want to be treated; if we want our Father’s forgiveness when we stumble, we must forgive those who wrong us. Each day let us remember what the Lord has done for us, and how He forgives us when we stumble and fall and grieve Him by our disobedience. May we never allow a grudge, or an unforgiving heart, cause Him to withhold His peace from us.

"Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the Judge standeth before the door."
- James 5:9

"For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
- Matt 6:14-15

Dear saints, we are called to be holy, to walk as He walked, to follow His example. May we never allow unforgiveness or let a grudge against anyone to keep us from the peace and grace of God, but always look to Christ for the strength to forgive and allow His love and mercy to touch the lives of all involved.

Michael


And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
- Eph 4:32

The Lord's Prayer - 5

THE LORD’S PRAYER ~ 5


"And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors."
- Matt 6:12


"For Thou, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon Thee."
- Psalm 86:5

In the prayer that Jesus taught us to pray always, He tells us to ask the Father for forgiveness. When we first accept the blood atonement of our Lord Jesus our former sins are wiped away, and we start with a clean slate in the eyes of God -

"For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.
As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
Just as a father has compassion on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him."
- Psalm 103:11-13

As we walk this Christian walk on the road to complete salvation, learning the fear of the Lord, we make mistakes, we sometimes fall to temptation. Our sin saddens the heart of God. May it grieve our hearts as well and cause us to truly repent and cry out to Him -

"Look on my affliction and my pain,
And forgive all my sins."
- Psalm 25:18

In this psalm of David, we see the humbleness of a heart that is truly repentant as he entreats the Lord for forgiveness -

"Show me Your ways, O LORD;
Teach me Your paths.
Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
On You I wait all the day.

Remember, O LORD, Your tender mercies
and Your lovingkindnesses,
For they are from of old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth,
nor my transgressions;
According to Your mercy remember me,
For Your goodness’ sake, O LORD."
- Psalm 25:4-7

Writing to the saints - to those who deny their earthly lusts, take up their cross daily, and follow Jesus, the Holy Spirit, through Paul, says of the Father -

"He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the Kingdom of His beloved Son, in Whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
- Col 1:13-14

In that Kingdom there will be no sin, no unrighteousness. "Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful." (Rev 21:27)

Forgiveness. Deliverance. Entrance into His Eternal Kingdom. These promises of God are for us if we call upon Him, and walk according to His Word. He is always willing to forgive those who turn to Him with a humble, repentant and obedient heart.

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
- 1John 1:9

Brothers & sisters, let us never take for granted the mercy, forgiveness, and salvation of our God, made available to us through the blood of our Savior Jesus. Let us call upon His Name daily, giving Him thanks and praise, seeking His will, and heeding His commands.

Michael


I acknowledged my sin to You,
And my iniquity I have not hidden.
I said, ’I will confess my transgressions to the LORD, ’
And You forgave the iniquity of my sin.
Selah
- Psalm 32:5