Forgive Us
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors. Matthew 6:12
Jesus’ model prayer is an introduction for us of what it’s like in His kingdom. As He teaches us to pray He is opening our eyes to what being His follower is about. Here Jesus shares what I call the Golden rule of forgiveness. “Forgive us for our sins, just as we have forgiven those who sinned against us.” He introduces a powerful truth. I will be forgiven in the same measure as I forgive others. To the extent I forgive, I will be forgiven.
In Matthew 18 Jesus says the kingdom of heaven is like a king who forgave the multi-million dollar debt of his servant after he begged for forgiveness. In John 8 a woman caught in bed with a man not her husband, is thrown at Jesus feet, no doubt she is guilty, an adulteress, yet she is not condemned by Jesus. In Luke 7 another sinful woman is at Jesus feet and is forgiven. In each of these stories guilt is clear, condemnation is appropriate, and punishment is deserved, yet in each case mercy and forgiveness are given.
A pivotal realization of these stories is that you and I are the servant, the adulteress, and the sinful woman. We have no defense, no justification, and deserve condemnation. We are forgiven with the realization that relying only on God’s mercy is our only hope. Said another way “Blessed are the poor in Spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Only when I realize my brokenness, my utter failure, my utter helplessness to save myself, that I am unworthy, my debt is too great, and I cannot pay it in a million years. That realization, that falling before Him is what changes us. It is God’s will in His kingdom when we pray with a true understanding of “forgive us like we forgive others”. I will forgive because He forgives me. Jesus forgives those caught in adultery, prostitutes, dishonest, and un-religious people, and says these are welcome in my kingdom. We have distorted the message to say if I'm good I’m forgiven, if I perform God will forgive me and save me. If I follow the rules He will show mercy. And so we treat others this way. Show me you're serious about being good, perform for me and I'll forgive. Conform and you'll be in my good graces. Agree with me and I'll consider mercy. I place conditions on my forgiveness. Yet, Jesus forgives those who fall at his feet offering nothing, making no excuses, just begging for his mercy. It is all that he asks. Come to me and just believe me. Ask me, seek me and I will forgive millions of times, even when you don't deserve it. We are called to forgive in the same way. If we place conditions on our forgiveness God says so will I.
Father, may I be able to forgive like Jesus did when he prayed “Father forgive them for they don’t know what they are doing”
Shallowater, Texas
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