Forgive Us Our Debts

(#1011, Imperial, 1963)

Read Matthew 6:9-13.

What has been the result of our study of the Lord's Prayer so far? Are you using this pattern.  We have seen the intimacy of our relationship with our Heavenly Father because of our relationship with Christ.  We have been led to desire that His name be Hallowed, His will be done, His Kingdom be established.  We have come to Him for our daily needs.

Now the tempo of prayer changes.  The clouds seem to gather as we examine the past with its sin and failure.  Forgive us our debts.

The need of forgiveness.

Note the word "and".  This petition is joined to the former petition.  These are the only 2 so connected.

    1.  We need forgiveness as often as we need daily bread.

    2.  Our need of forgiveness is as urgent as our need for bread or food.

    3.  We should never lift our hearts for food without pleading for forgiveness.

Many do not realize their sin.  Sin brings a break in fellowship with God (1 John 1:7).  It leads to an ineffective testimony, cold heart and hardness of spirit.

The debt we owe.

We owe all that we are: our bodies (1 Cor. 6:19-20), our lives (Rom. 8:12-13).  Failure to pay creates a debt (sin).  If we confess our sins God will forgive & restore fellowship (1 Jn. 1:9).

The condition of forgiveness.

Note that the only commentary by Christ on this prayer is the comment on this request in vs.14-15.  Christ did not mean that God's forgiveness was measured by our own or that our forgiveness is the cause of God's forgiveness.  The blood of Christ is the only ground of forgiveness.  He meant that God cannot forgive an unforgiving spirit.  The only evidence of our contrition and repentance is that we forgive.  At the same time we must note that our forgiveness of others is based on His forgiveness of us (Eph. 4:32).  

Fellowship with Christ is the most important thing in the Christian's life; thus we pray "forgive us our debts."