PRAYER (8)
“And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” — Matthew 6:12
Who needs forgiveness? Who does not! This element in the short compass of “The Lord’s Prayer’” touches on life’s greatest need, whether we know it or not. “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God—being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus [Rom. 3:23-24].” As most of us understand these verses, forgiveness is available “just for the asking.” But in the light of the text above the question arises, does the passage in Romans override the clause in the Prayer and its context?
Remarkably, this is the only item in the prayer that sparked an immediate commentary on the Savior’s part. “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses [v. 14-15].” It is a sobering question. Clearly, forgiveness is one of Christ’s commandments.
The scriptures reinforce the principle in several ways. First, there is Christ’s direct answer to a question, followed by a parable, later in this gospel, Matthew 18:21-35. Peter asks the enigmatic question: “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?” to which the Savior responds, “I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. (v. 21-22) The obvious intention of that answer is that our spirit of forgiveness should be immeasurable. But the teaching associated with the Lord’s Prayer is reinforced in the parable Jesus then told about the unforgiving servant (vss. 23-35) which He concludes, “O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, 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.” (Italics added.) Jesus’ clear teaching is that it is vain to seek God’s forgiveness for our transgressions—our sins against God—if we are unwilling to forgive those who offend us.
The crowning illustration of the attitude He enjoins upon us in the prayer and it‘s commentary is His own reaction to the ultimate offense against Him when from the cross He cried, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.“ The same spirit is manifested in the early church by Stephen when for His testimony he died by stoning at the hands of an angry mob. “They stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep [Acts 7:59-60].”
That is Christian faith in action, and it is enjoined upon us again in the doctrine of the New Testament:
“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” [Eph. 4:30-32].
James, not surprisingly, reiterates the point, “For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment [Jas. 2:13].”
A note may be added that it is not saying the words with the lips, but expressing forgiveness from the heart that counts. When God forgives, He forgets: “And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more [Heb. 10:17].” There is reconciliation and restored fellowship between Him and the transgressor. So should it be with us if we truly “forgive our debtors.”
It is so easy to say the words in prayer and give little or no thought to their import. it is another matter to make them our heart cry before the Lord—and mean it!
Let me conclude with what I hope may be a thought provoking question.
If you are only as forgiven by God as you are forgiving of those who have offended you, how forgiven are you?
"Pastor" Frasier
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