(This message may be used as an individual sermon or as part of the series.)
Matthew 6:12 – FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS
#6 of 8 in a series on The Lord’s Prayer
I have been pastoring for 45 years. I have discovered that the biggest problem people have is unforgiveness. I think that they do not realize how important forgiveness is. Not only did Jesus teach us to pray “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors”, but the words immediately following the Lord prayer are a real challenge. Matthew 6:14-15
I want us to consider some important truths about forgiveness.
FORGIVENESS IS REQUIRED
We need forgiveness, first of all, in order to have eternal life.
Sin causes separation. When Adam and Eve sinned against God in the Garden of Eden, they were separated from God’s presence. God evicted them!
God told Israel in Isaiah 59:2, “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.”
When Jesus died on the cross for your sins, He paid the price so that you can be forgiven. When we trust Christ as Savior, that forgiveness becomes ours. Colossians 2:13-14, Ephesians 1:7
Not only do we need forgiveness for eternal life but also we need forgiveness on a daily basis. Psalms 66:18, 1 Thessalonians 5:19, Ephesians 4:30-31, 1 John 1:8,10
Not only is forgiveness required for salvation and by believers after salvation, but it is also required that we forgive. Matthew 18:21-22, Ephesians 4:32
FORGIVENESS IS REQUESTED
Forgiveness is something that we need to seek.
When one places their faith in Christ as Savior, they have sought and found forgiveness. In a sense, because they have trusted Christ, they have asked for forgiveness. Ephesians 2:8-9, Ephesians 1:7
Forgiveness of sin is also to be requested by us when we as Christians sin against God. Psalms 32:5, 1 John 1:9
There is another sense in which we need to ask forgiveness. We need to ask forgiveness of each other.
We so appreciate it when people come to us and say, “I’m sorry, I was wrong.” We must realize that it is our responsibility at times to go to others and say those same words, “I’m sorry, I was wrong.” Matthew 5:22-24, James 5:16
Luke 17:3-4 – “Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.”
If I am to forgive my brother who confesses his sins, should I not also seek the forgiveness from my brother when I sin against him?
FORGIVENESS IS RELATIVE
Matthew 6:12 – “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”
Any time I come to the Lord in prayer I must realize that I am just as responsible to forgive as I am to seek forgiveness.
Sometimes it is hardest to forgive those you love.
But forgive them we must do.
When we fail to forgive we become bitter. Hebrews 12:15
Also, when we fail to forgive, we do not experience our Lord’s healing forgiveness. I am forgiven relative to the extent that I am willing to forgive.
Matthew 6:14-15 – “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.”
FORGIVENESS IS REPEATED
FORGIVENESS IS REPEATED BY GOD: 1 John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Psalms 103:10-14
FORGIVENESS IS REPEATED BY US: Luke 17:3-6
Just think how many times you have been forgiven by God.
It’s no wonder that you need to forgive others more than once.
Forgiveness means you are removing responsibility from that person. They no longer owe you.
Don’t bring it up to them.
Don’t bring it up to others.
Don’t bring it up to yourself.
Don’t bring it up to God.
Forgiveness is not forgetting, but remembering without anger.
FORGIVENESS IS REQUIRED
FORGIVENESS IS REQUESTED
FORGIVENESS IS RELATIVE
FORGIVENESS IS REPEATED