After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Matthew 6:9-12
Forgive us. Why? For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Romans 3:23. Sin is the willful transgression of God’s law. As sinners, we owe a debt. For the wages (penalty) of sin is death; Romans 6:23a
Death is separation. Physical death is separation from the body. Spiritual death is separation from God. Jesus Christ paid that debt for us on the cross. He became sin for us, who knew no sin. He died in our place.
The primary meaning of the word forgive is to send forth or to send away.* A forgiven debt as referred to in Matthew 6:12, is a completely cancelled debt.* When we accept Jesus Christ as our substitute, we are accepting God’s provision for our sin. Our sin debt is cancelled and the righteousness of His Son is credited to our account. We are forgiven. This means we are delivered from sin’s penalty (separation from God) and the cause of the offense is removed (sent away).* As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:12
- If certain conditions are met, there is no limit to Christ’s law of forgiveness.*
Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Matthew 18:21-22
- The conditions of forgiveness are repentance and confession.*
And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. Acts 17:30&31
Repentance is a changing of the mind. Genuine repentance results in a change of direction.
Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee (repents), thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church (no repentance), let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. Matthew 18:15-17
Confessing our sins is acknowledging our sin (naming it and taking responsibility for it), agreeing with God against ourselves.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:9
Forgive us……..as we forgive our debtors.
Mercy should beget mercy, but it doesn’t always.
Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellow servant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. Matthew 18:23-35
…let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…
*Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of New and Old Testament Words; Thomas Nelson, Inc., Copyright 1986 1994.