…forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass
against us….
This line is no accident. It is a line that addresses humility,
shortcomings, fault and frailty. It is worded in this order to remind us of who
we are and how we fall short. I say this because we have a tendency to get
haughty and high and mighty in our judgment for others. We live in a culture
where it’s easier to blame, name call, condemn, write off, ridicule and dispose
of people; yet we speak of love and brotherhood. How can these schools of
thought co-exist in an individual? God is calling us to be whole and
single-minded not engaged in dichotomous, compartmentalized thinking. Love is
love, is love is love……..all sin and fall short!
Allow me to highlight some very basic Bible truths:
Matthew 6:14-15 For if you forgive men when they sin against
you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not
forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just
and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Isaiah 1:18 "Come now, let us reason together,"
says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white
as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.
Matthew 6:9-15 "This, then, is how you should pray:
" 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom
come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today
our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our
debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the
evil one. ' For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your
heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men
their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Bottom line all of us are in need of grace and mercy and the
Lord’s Prayer reminds us that we are first in need before we begin to project
on and fix others….
Like the song goes…it’s me, it’s me, it’s me, oh Lord standing in the need of prayer!
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