…FORGIVE US OUR SINS, JUST AS WE HAVE FORGIVEN THOSE WHO HAVE SINNED AGAINST US. MATTHEW 6:12
This is a pretty extreme part of the Lord’s Prayer. When we pray it, we give away our right to rage, revenge and resentment. But this is the line that rescues us from our inbuilt tendency to kid ourselves that we can live by one set of standard but expect something different from other people. In this line of the prayer the shadow of the cross falls onto the page. Ultimately Jesus forgave His enemies when He had the power to destroy them. Think about this – if God: a) was a bit choosy in forgiving like you are b) took His time before forgiving just to rub it in c) told everybody who’d listen what you’ve done to Him d) forgave, but refused to give you another chance e) made up His mind to blank you and avoid you f) next time you were in trouble, refused to help you saying, ‘You should’ve learned your lesson last time,’ could you live with that? No? Then offer to other people the same forgiveness God offers to you. When you pray ‘Forgive us our sins, just as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us’ you’re asking for a change of heart! Nehemiah writes, ‘…you are a forgiving God…’ (Nehemiah 9:17 NIV). Aren’t you glad he didn’t write, ‘you are a God ready to put us on probation.’ No, forgiveness is God’s generous attitude toward us. His forgiveness was assured before we even went out and did those sins. Wow! Doesn’t that make you want to live life God’s way! The only place unforgiveness belongs is in the wheely bin! That’s where we put all the rubbish that stinks the house out. Remember that, next time you pray The Lord’s Prayer.
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