After asking for God's provision, Jesus uses the word 'And" in the next request. And forgive us our sins, AS we forgive those who sin against.
In addition to receiving daily bread for Forgiveness.
Forgiveness is an intentional decision to let go of resentment and anger.
As we ask God to forgive us, we ask Him to intentionally let go of any disappointments we may feel because we missed the mark. However, this task has a condition, and we are only entitled to this if that is what we do to those who have missed the mark with us.
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.
That sounds tough. My Forgiveness from God is tied to my Forgiveness of Men.
1. It is God's nature to Forgive.
Psalms 130:4 But there is Forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.
Daniel 9:9
To the Lord, our God belongs mercies and Forgiveness, though we have rebelled against him;
Psalms 86:5 For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.
Our Father does not weigh our guilt, so he forgives us. There is no classification of sin with him to check out if we deserve to be forgiven. He forgives us for His name's sake.
This prayer is a nudge toward becoming merciful and loving as our Father is.
Through Jesus Christ, we also have received the extension of mercy and power to become sons of God. As we have been forgiven and are transformed, our reflection should reflect who our Father is.
Acts 15:31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and Forgiveness of sins.
Acts 13:38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the Forgiveness of sins:
Ephesian 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the Forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the Forgiveness of sins:
Jesus paid the price, and in Him, we have received Forgiveness; then why is it hard for many of us to meet the requirement of this prayer?
Can it be said of you so and so is forgiving?
How often do you intentionally let go of your anger and resentment when people offend you?
Unforgiveness creates an emotional storm of distress in which feelings of stress, anxiety, depression, insecurity, and fear surface.
Responsibility
Regret
Repentance
Reconcile
Restitution
Usually, we fail to deal with Forgiveness because we wait for those who have wronged us to take responsibility for their actions, show remorse and regret for hurting us, Apologize, and ask us to forgive. Maybe we reconcile, and we receive compensation for the pain.
Unfortunately, that is not how it happens, and so in this Kingdom, we who are sons of God ought to forgive for our own sake.
Jesus gave a parable of a king's servant who was forgiven his debts but could not forgive a fellow servant who owed him. Matthew 18:21-35
Why Forgive?
