The Lord’s Prayer - "As We Forgive”

The Lord’s Prayer - "As We Forgive”

In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus makes a statement about forgiveness, saying that we should ask for forgiveness as we forgive others. I have had people ask me why we would want God to forgive us in the same way that we forgive others.

That's not what Jesus meant here. He is not telling us that God should forgive in a "more human" way. What Jesus is saying is that we need to be forgivers, too.

It's like this: God does not forgive those who refuse to forgive others. There are no unforgiving people in the Kingdom of God. Wait a minute ... none? Read the following passages:

Matthew 6:14-15

"For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions."

Mark 11:25

"Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions."

What is Jesus saying? Does that mean that if we fail to forgive just one person will we never make it to heaven?

Here’s what He is saying: Jesus is telling us is that forgiveness is a sign of a changed heart. When your life is changed by Christ, you begin to understand forgiveness. We can never really experience true forgiveness for our own sins until we learn to forgive others.

Forgiving others in love is the hardest part of surrendering your heart to God, but that’s part of the repentance we talk about when we come to Him.

Only God can forgive sin perfectly. He is not saying that we have to measure up to some impossible standard that we will never be able to match. What it all boils down to is this: a heart that is forgiven will also show forgiveness for others. So, let’s make this personal. Who do YOU need to forgive? What is keeping you from living out this truth? Now is the day to work on it. It wouldn't hurt to talk to them, would it?

Colossians 3:13-14

“Just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.”