Think about this, the Lord's Prayer does not teach us TO PRAY FOR forgiveness as much as it tells us HOW TO PRAY for forgiveness. YES, we must ask God for forgiveness, but this passage emphasises that we cannot be forgiven if we don't forgive those who sin against us. In fact this is the only part of the prayer Jesus explained. If a person does not forgive, he cannot be forgiven.
Sunday School Class yesterday and another post concerning Forgiving and Forgiveness, plus I noticed an FB Preacher friend of mine addressed this passage today. Maybe it would be a good idea to turn attention to these thoughts.
Though I did not use this in my SS Class yesterday, here are a couple of thoughts that are not usually considered.
1- We have so often thought that the Lord's Prayer taught us to pray for forgiveness (which is essential to eternal life), however Jesus was actually telling believers how to pray, more than what to pray. We must forgive others for doing us wrong, if we want to be forgiven for doing God wrong.
2- Here is one sin a person cannot have in his life and still go to heaven (could there be other sins, could this be the standard?).
Matthew 6:9-15
(9) After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
(10) Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
(11) Give us this day our daily bread.
(12) AND FORGIVE US OUR SINS, AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO SIN AGAINST US.
DLG...
(emphasis is mine and I have used SINS, as Luke did).
(13) And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
(14) FOR IF YE FORGIVE MEN THEIR TRESPASSES, YOU HEAVENLY FATHER WILL ALSO FORGIVE YOU:
(15) BUT IF YE FORGIVE NOT MEN THEIR TRESPASSES,NEITHER WILL YOUR FATHER FORGIVE YOUR TRESPASSES.
1- This is called the model prayer, yet the only part that Jesus took time to explain was the part about forgiving others in order to be forgiven. Jesus was not just saying ASK FOR FORGIVENESS, He was saying, IF YOU WANT TO BE FORGIVEN, YOU MUST FORGIVE OTHER PEOPLE.
2- Some people think that God does not give Christians victory and deliverance from all sin in this present life. Well, in this passage Jesus said, if we do not forgive others, we will not be forgiven. There is no WIGGLE ROOM here. If at any point, over any issue, with any person, we do not forgive, we will not be forgiven.
The failure to forgive other people is a sin and there can be no lapse or failure in this area, because, as soon as we do not forgive others, we are not forgiven. We must forgive and never fail to forgive if we want to be constantly forgiven. In our last moment there must not be anyone we are not forgiving, or we will not be forgiven.
If God can give us victory over the sin of being unforgiving, then God can give us victory over every sin.
(13) And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
(14) FOR IF YE FORGIVE MEN THEIR TRESPASSES, YOU HEAVENLY FATHER WILL ALSO FORGIVE YOU:
(15) BUT IF YE FORGIVE NOT MEN THEIR TRESPASSES,NEITHER WILL YOUR FATHER FORGIVE YOUR TRESPASSES.
1- This is called the model prayer, yet the only part that Jesus took time to explain was the part about forgiving others in order to be forgiven. Jesus was not just saying ASK FOR FORGIVENESS, He was saying, IF YOU WANT TO BE FORGIVEN, YOU MUST FORGIVE OTHER PEOPLE.
2- Some people think that God does not give Christians victory and deliverance from all sin in this present life. Well, in this passage Jesus said, if we do not forgive others, we will not be forgiven. There is no WIGGLE ROOM here. If at any point, over any issue, with any person, we do not forgive, we will not be forgiven.
The failure to forgive other people is a sin and there can be no lapse or failure in this area, because, as soon as we do not forgive others, we are not forgiven. We must forgive and never fail to forgive if we want to be constantly forgiven. In our last moment there must not be anyone we are not forgiving, or we will not be forgiven.
If God can give us victory over the sin of being unforgiving, then God can give us victory over every sin.
