(reworked)
SCRIPTURE: Luke (NIV) 11:2 He [Jesus] said to them [his disciples], “When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread. 4 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’”
OBSERVATION: If we pray this prayer as it is given, we are asking God to forgive us because we forgive everyone who sins against us. It is something to consider very thoughtfully.
So, if I do not forgive, I am asking God to not forgive me. If I forgive slowly, I am asking God to be slow in forgiving me. If I hold a grudge, I am asking God to hold a grudge against me.
APPLICATION: It is clear; I have been forgiven and God expects me to forgive. I will continue to need God’s forgiveness. I cannot live without someone sinning against me.
To not forgive those who sin against me further hurts me. To think that someone’s sin against me is too great to forgive is to not fully appreciate what Jesus did to provide God’s forgiveness for me.
Some time back, the Lord showed me that His death on the cross not only provided forgiveness for my sins against God but also provided for the sins of other people against me. Jesus’ death enables God to forgive me and when I receive that forgiveness it enables me to forgive others.
PRAYER: Jesus, You are the great forgiver. Holy Spirit help me to forgive as I have been forgiven. Amen
Pastor Leon
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