January 12 Forgive Me

Luke 11:4 “Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.”
 
THE gospel of Matthew records this as “Forgive us our debs as we also have forgiven our debtors. ((Matthew 6:12 of the New International Version) Some churches say, “Forgive us our trespasses as we also forgive those who trespass against us.”  “Debt” and “trespass” point to one owing property or money to another. They point to the ways sin takes from our relationship with God or another person to cause a debt of wrong we are to repay.
   Think of how Satan trespassed into the Garden of Eden to cause Eve and Adam to sin against God’s Word. Sin stole perfection between God and his creation. It robbed God of some of the love, honor and obedience the first couple expressed toward their Creator. Mankind has been repaying that debt since the day it was incurred.
   Think, too, that if you lie to someone, you steal that person’s trust from your relationship. Also, we all know families who deal with one member trespassing against the others regarding a parent’s inheritance. They owe a debt of money to the siblings. Greed has stolen the relationship.
   You see sin’s debt, too, in Paul’s “sin list” in Galatians 5:20 “idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions.” Wow! These are terrible, debt-forming words, aren’t they? Consider how idolatry and witchcraft steal honor and worship from God. Jealousy, discord, anger, etc. rob the sweet taste of “the fruit of the Spirit (that) is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23) God requires forgiveness to repay what someone has taken from you.
   That’s why “forgive us our sins” is such a huge faith statement. I urge you to make these words your prayer. Say to the Lord, “Forgive me my sin as I also forgive everyone who sins against me.” Such language stirs you to confess, “I have sinned.” You realize you have taken something from a relationship. You are prepared to replenish what you owe. Second, “Forgive me.” declares you believe God has the will and the power to forgive your trespasses against his laws.  
   Third, as you say, “As I also forgive everyone who sins against me.” you graciously forgive as God has forgiven you. As much as someone has taken from you – your dignity, your love, your money, your peace – you are to forgive them for all their debt against you. God is teaching us to follow his example. Forgive those who owe to you.
   Is it fair to simply forgive someone their debt and count it paid? Who’s talking fair? God is speaking grace and love. Think how unfair God is to have canceled your debt as you confess your sin. Remember that one reason the disciple asked Jesus to, “Teach us to pray.” was to learn more of Jesus’ character. As we understand that prayer involves forgiveness, we are reminded of God’s gracious character to forgive us our debts. After all, who unfairly paid your sin’s debt incurred in Eden?
   1 Peter 1:18-19 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.  
   Your Lord Jesus teaches you of God’s character as you pray “forgive me”. Then he fully revealed his forgiving character on the cross. As you confess his blood over you, your debts are paid. You no longer trespass into God’s Kingdom, but you become an adopted child of the King. Your sins are gone. Be his disciple. Walk in his footsteps. Speak as he speaks. Love as he loves. Forgive as he forgives. “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.”
 
Prayer: Father, forgive me for taking love and worship from you in my sins. Grant me the grace to forgive those who have stolen from me as I have stolen from you. In Jesus’ name, amen.