Nov 9 - Matthew 6:14

Jesus said,

And forgive us our debts, as we

also have forgiven our debtors.

Matthew 6:12

"Forgive us" said Jesus, "exactly in the way and to the extent that we forgive others." Ouch! This is clearly the hardest petition in the Lord's Prayer. 

And lest we try to explain this phrase away lightly, Jesus' first words after the Lord's Prayer absolutely reinforce this point:

For if you forgive others

their trespasses, your heavenly Father

will also forgive you;

but if you do not forgive others,

neither will your father forgive

your trespasses.

Matthew 6:14-15

Forgiveness is THE most important thing in the world. Why do I say that? Because that's the whole reason that Jesus came down to earth and died -- to forgive our sins. (Yes, we could argue forgiveness is surely a subset of the more important attribute of love, but we must equally understand that without forgiveness there really is no true love.)

Let me say that again -- and more clearly -- If we are not forgiving, we are not loving, and "whoever claims to love God but does not love brother or sister is a liar" (1John 4:10). Indeed, "whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love" (1 John 4:2). Biblically, I think Jesus is saying that we could substitute "forgiveness" into that sentence: "whoever does not [forgive] does not know God, because God is [forgiveness]." 

BUT FORGIVENESS IS HARD!

We have legitimately been hurt. Betrayed. Violated. 

Worse: Don't mess with me; mess with my kids! 

We could spend several important weeks counseling on how forgiving does not demand forgetting ... nor putting yourselves (or others) in harm's way again. 

But as painful as trespass against us was, the real affect of unforgiveness is that it keeps US in chains. It keeps you and me living in the past, rather than opening ourselves to God's future. 

Jesus doesn't say that forgiveness is easy. But it is doable – with his help! 

It starts by admitting that unforgiveness is sin. But fortunately our Gracious Lord loves to forgive our sin! Therefore, when we humbly draw near to his forgiving nature, we become more like him. And then it's his power working in us, rather than our weakness ruling us.

Read those two last sentences again -- and let me restate them: if we are not forgiving, we are not humbly drawing near to God nor his forgiving nature. Thus, we have made unforgiveness our idol -- the most powerful thing in our lives. We are essentially declaring that our anger is more powerful than God's love. And what is the result? That's what separates us from God. 

But when we confess our sin – including the sin of unforgiveness – we have quit relying on ourselves! We have declared victory over bitterness. And we have turned, instead, to the God of power and love. And then -- suddenly -- it can be his power working in us, rather than our weakness ruling us. 

Christianity all boils down to the same one thing: When we rely on ourselves, we separate ourselves from God. But when we confess that we cannot truly do life on our own -- including forgiving those who've trespassed against us -- then we begin to receive the life and the power of Jesus Christ himself. Forgiveness – especially for those monumentally big hurts – demands our dependence upon God. And that's precisely when and where life begins again!

Do you have people that you still struggle to forgive? If so shed the chains and grief, and begin to trust in God. Take this to the Lord in prayer right now. 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who translates this

Lord's Prayer petition like this:

When I draw near to God

in order for him to help me

forgive the debts of others,

God draws nearer to me --

forgiving me, healing me,

empowering me, and

helping me love again.

And that's when and where

and how eternal life begins.

I am no longer caught in the chains

of this earth nor the past,

I am suddenly looking forward

into heaven -- and that's eternal life!