Tuesday, May 13, 2014

The Lord's Prayer- part 8

Luke 11:4  "Forgive us our sins; for we also forgive everyone that is indebted to us."

MB 113  "Jesus teaches that we can receive forgiveness from God only as we forgive others.  It is the love of God that draws us unto Him, and that love cannot touch our hearts without creating love for our brethren.
     After completing the Lord's prayer, Jesus added: 'If ye forgive men their trespasses, you heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if ye forgive men not their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.' He who is unforgiving cuts off the very channel through which alone he can receive mercy from God.  We should not think that unless those who have injured us confess the wrong we are justified in with-holding from them our forgiveness.  It is their part, no doubt, to humble their heart by repentance and confession; but we are to have a spirit of compassion to those who have trespassed against us, whether or not they confess their faults.  However sorely they have wounded us, we are not to cherish our grievances and sympathize with ourselves over our injuries; but as we hope to be pardoned for our offenses against God we are to pardon all who have done evil to us.
     God's forgiveness is not merely a judicial act by which he sets us free from condemnation.  It is not only forgiveness for sin, but reclaiming from sin.  It is the outflow of redeeming love that transforms the heart. David had the true conception of forgiveness when he prayed, 'create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.' Psalms 51:10.  And again he says, 'as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.' Psalms 100:12."

How do you feel about forgiving those who have injured you?  We must pray David's prayer to have God
create in us a clean heart and renew a right spirit within us and then we can forgive those who injure us. What a burden would be lifted from our lives if we just learned to forgive.  I want to be more forgiving, don't you?
Grandma Joan

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