The LORD’s Prayer, Part 9: Forgive
2024-09-09
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. (Matthew 6:12)
And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. (Luke 11:4)
Interestingly, we see different words (debts vs. sins) in each of the accounts. We ask for forgiveness of both debts and sins. Before God, we rely on His forgiveness because we have debts that we cannot pay. Jesus had to pay our sin debt.
Now our debt before the Father has been fully discharged because Jesus paid it. We have been shown clemency and amnesty as enemy combatants against the Lord and are now His children. That manner of forgiveness always stands. However, when we sin after our conversion, we need forgiveness like that of a Father to His children. This is why we confess our sins (1 John 1:9).
Because we know such a great forgiveness, we discharge all sins and debt of others against us. It only makes sense, that while we rejoice in so great a Jubilee, that we honor that forgiveness found in Christ to other people. If we do not forgive others, we will not have that forgiveness.
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. (Matthew 6:14-15)