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