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