April 19, 2016: SOAP #2329: 1Samuel 22; Psalm 17,35; Matthew 6

Scripture: Matthew (NIV) 6:9 “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’

Observation: Only God knows how many times this prayer is prayed every day around the world. I wonder how many people realize what they are asking God to do. Asking God to forgive us as we forgive others seems a foolish thing to do if we are not willing to forgive.   If we are only willing to forgive some things, then we are asking God to only forgive us some things. For those who do not want to believe that God would treat us in such a way, just consider the next two verses: Matthew (NIV) 6:14 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Application: It seems to me that the only ones who can pray such a prayer are the ones who can personally call God their Father. It is the Presence of the Great Forgiver that enables me to forgive. To have received God’s forgiveness through the payment of Jesus on the cross for my sins, and then to refuse to forgive others is to de-value His death. I value Jesus’ great sacrifice when I accept that His death on the cross not only covers my sins against God, it also sufficiently covers the sins of others against me.

Prayer:   Jesus, what a great sacrifice you made for me!   I demonstrate your life and honor your death by forgiving others as you forgive me. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!