Ah, the next part of The LORD’s Prayer is a part which often stops us in our tracks. “And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.”
Asking for and giving forgiveness is not as easy as it sounds. I saw this statement on a friend’s Facebook page and thought how true it is. “We repent enough to be forgiven, but do we surrender enough to be changed?”
Repentance is both a single act for specific sin as well as a way of life for the Christian. Repentance for specific sin brings God’s forgiveness. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” [1 John 1:9]
Repentance as a lifestyle is our daily course correction, keeping us pursuing God, on the narrow pathway, surrendering every thought, word, and deed to His rule daily. It is a repentance that changes us, conforms us to the image of His dear Son.
While forgiveness following our repentance before God is received by us, it must also be granted to others. Therein lies part of the problem. Jesus tells us we must forgive even when others do not repent of their wronging us. “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” [Mark 11:25 NIV]
In that command Jesus does not put any of the responsibility for forgiveness on the other person. He puts it squarely on us. For two reasons. First, for our own benefit. When we hold unforgiveness in our hearts towards another, that unforgiveness chains us to that person. When we forgive, we set ourselves free.
Second, when we hold unforgiveness in our hearts towards another, we put a barrier between us and our Father. We render ourselves unable to receive good things from our Father when we fail to grant those same good things to others.
It is not always easy to ask for or grant forgiveness … but oh, beloved, it is vitally important that we do. God bless you.
