“And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” --Matthew 6:12
Here is a line that is both short and profound. Jesus gives it as an element of the manner of prayer (cf. Matt. 6:9). Forgiveness is often an element of prayer both privately and publicly. Consider three observations about this element of prayer that gives sobering insights to life and relationships.
1. Forgiveness is Critical to Being Right with God. What would it have been like to simply leave this element out? There would still be many good things found in the prayer. Jesus knew that children of God need to know how a right relationship with God is maintained. Sin is the great barrier between man and God (cf. Isa. 59:2). Sin’s wages is death (cf. Rom. 6:23). The Lord’s response to sin is either punishment or pardon. It is always God’s desire to forgive (cf. Micah 7:18-19). He has no pleasure in the death of the wicked (cf. Eze. 18:23). It is not a matter of if man will sin but simply when man sins what then (cf. Rom. 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10). Being forgiven is the reason for the cross of Christ (cf. Eph. 1:7). God’s saving grace is tied to forgiveness (cf. Eph. 2:8-9). Jesus would not leave out of this prayer a most critical aspect.
2. Forgiveness is Conditional. While remission of past sins is tied to repentance and baptism (cf. Acts 2:38), forgiveness also has conditional elements outside of the conditions to become a Christian. Jesus stated further in the context of the prayer, “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” (Matt. 6:14-15). The next point will consider the personal relationship thoughts, but right now consider the use of the word “if” (cf. Matt. 6:14, 15). This underscores the fact that man has something to do with his own personal forgiveness with God. While the grace of God, the love of God, the blood of Christ, the intercession of Christ, and other such like aspects of God’s work in redemption are essential to being forgiven, there is the side of man’s choosing under various situations that determines personal forgiveness. Unconditional forgiveness is not found in the Bible.
3. Forgiveness is Connected to Personal Relationships. While all saved people want to stay in a right relationship with God by being forgiven, what is to be the response when one has been wronged? The world views being wronged as an offense that demands personal retaliation and vindication. Jesus, the sinless Son of God, would be wronged more than can be counted and yet forgiveness was on his dying lips (cf. Luke 23:34). A forgiving spirit is to be the nature of the heart of the child of God, especially in the approach of prayer.
There are two things cited by Jesus concerning forgiving and being forgiven. First, there is the facet of the manner in which one is asking to be forgiven. Notice the manner in the words “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” (Matt. 6:12). In other words, as a person forgives others who wrong him so let God forgive in the same manner. Second, there is the fact of forgiveness in lieu of whether one forgives or does not forgive his debtors (cf. Matt. 6:14-15). Therefore, how one approaches difficult relations with others is connected with being forgiven. May every heart ponder and apply.
Jimmy Clark