(Matthew 6:9-15 NASB) "Pray, then, in this way: 'Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. {10} 'Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. {11} 'Give us this day our daily bread. {12} 'AND FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS, AS WE ALSO HAVE FORGIVEN OUR DEBTORS. {13} 'And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.'
Recent events in my life have reminded me of the need I have to be forgiving and to be forgiven by those around me. So for my sake and yours I would like to look again at what Jesus says on the subject in the Lord's prayer. Jesus teaches us to pray, "Forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors."
The word debts as used in the KJ and NASB versions of the Lord's prayer is defined in the Strong's Concordance like this; DEBTOR, sinner, 1) one who owes another, 1a) one held by some obligation, bound by some duty 1b) one who has not yet made amends to one he has injured: 1b1) one who owes God penalty or one from whom God can demand punishment as something due, i.e. a sinner. 3781 opheiletes of-i-let'-ace} from 3784; TDNT - 5:565,746;
The word TRESPASS, used in some versions of the prayer, is defined by Strong as meaning: offense, sin, fall, fault, 1) to fall beside or near something 2) a lapse or deviation from truth and uprightness 2a) a sin, misdeed. 3900 paraptoma {par-ap'-to-mah} from 3895;
The word we have chosen to use in our corporate recitals of the Prayer is "SIN". "Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us. Strong's definition of this word is not unexpected. SIN 172, sinful 1, offense, 1b) to miss the mark 1c) to err, be mistaken 1d) to miss or wander from the path of uprightness and honor, to do or go wrong 1e) to wander from the law of God, violate God's law, sin 2) that which is done wrong, sin, an offense, a violation of the divine law in thought or in act 3) collectively, the complex or aggregate of sins committed either by a single person or by many. 266 hamartia {ham-err-tee'-ash from 264. Sin is that which puts us in debt to God or other people, and, all sins are trespasses or deviations from the way of righteousness and truth. Therefore, we are to pray each day and perhaps many times during the day, "Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors."
The first thing critical to understanding our text is to remember that Christ is speaking to Christians. It was Christian men who made the request, "Lord teach us to pray", (Luke 11:1), and, it is to Christian men that Jesus spoke these words. "Pray then in this way, "Forgive us our debts, sins, trespasses, as we forgive our debtors." Therefore, we must conclude that Christians sin. On a daily we are indebted to God and to men because we sin against them both.
Some might think that all Christians understand this truth, but that is not so. Some believe they do not sin at all. Therefore, confession of sin is not necessary. Others believe that since they have been washed and cleansed by the blood of Christ that they needn't deal with sin ever again. Jesus, however, tells us to pray for forgiveness every day. Consider with me the words of I John 1:8 and following.
(1 John 1:8-10 NASB) "If WE say that WE have no sin, WE ARE DECEIVING OURSELVES, AND THE TRUTH IS NOT IN US. (The "WE" and the "US" refer to Christians.) {9} If WE CONFESS OUR SINS, He is faithful and righteous to forgive US OUR SINS and to cleanse US from all unrighteousness. {10} If we say that WE have not sinned, WE make Him a liar, and HIS WORD IS NOT IN US." (From Genesis to Revelation God's word reveals that Christians sin. If we do not believe this and will not acknowledge this truth we do not understand the scriptures, His word is not in us.) (1 John 2:1-2 NASB) "MY LITTLE CHILDREN, I am writing these things to you that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, WE have an Advocate (intercessor) with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; {2} and He Himself is the propitiation for OUR sins; and not for OURS only, (That is not for Jewish Christians only.) but also for those of the whole world." (The Elect from every nation under the Sun, as opposed to Jews only.)
I John was written to Christians to teach that when we do sin we must confess that sin in order receive forgiveness and cleansing from God. What does it mean to CONFESS our sin? The word means, "1) TO SAY THE SAME THING AS ANOTHER, I.E. TO AGREE WITH, ASSENT 2) TO CONCEDE 2b3) to confess, i.e. TO ADMIT OR DECLARE ONE'S SELF GUILTY OF WHAT ONE IS ACCUSED OF. 3670 homologeo {hom-ol-og-eh'-o."
When we confess our sins we are saying, "Yes Lord, I have sinned as your word says I have, I am guilty". To refuse to confess or agree with the word of God, and the testimony of the Holy Spirit within us, is to prove that His truth, the Word, the Bible, is not in our hearts and minds. It may mean that He who is the Truth is not in our hearts. It may mean you are not Christian at all if you do not acknowledge and confess your daily sins as Christ instructs us to. To confess one's sin is to trust God's promise of forgiveness and cleansing.
The word "forgiven" is defined in Strong's Concordance like this; "let alone , to send away, to disregard, to let go, give up a debt, forgive, to remit, to keep no longer. 863 aphiemi {af-ee'-ay-mee}." Therefore, when we confess our daily sins to God He sends them away, He disregards the trespass, He grants us remission, the debt is canceled, He keeps no record of the violation. When we confess our sins He is faithful and righteous to forgive our sins.
The passage also says He, "cleanses", us from all unrighteousness. Hear the definition of cleansing. "make clean, purge, purify, to cleanse from physical stains and dirt, to wash utensils, food, to cleanse by curing as in the curing of a leper, to remove by cleansing 1b). In a moral sense it means TO FREE FROM DEFILEMENT OF SIN AND FROM FAULTS, to purify from wickedness, TO FREE FROM GUILT OF SIN. 2511 katharizo {kath-ar-id'-zo}."
So, to be cleansed is to have all guilt removed from us, it is to be free from defilement. But what guilt can that be if Christ removed all guilt when He saved us? And, what defilement is the Holy Spirit speaking of since a Christian has been washed and made white as snow by the blood of Christ. He or she has been wrapped in His robe of pure righteousness. How then does the text speak of guilt, defilement and purification?
First, we must remember that we are not speaking of things concerning salvation, conversion, or the rebirth. These words are spoken of true Christians just as Christ was speaking to Christians when He said "Pray then in this way, Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors". The defilement, the guilt, the impurities spoken of have to do with our sins AFTER we have been saved. The sins spoken of have to do with OUR STUMBLING AND FAILURE AS WE WORK OUT OUR SALVATION DAY TO DAY. We ask God for daily bread because each day requires new nourishment. We ask God for daily forgiveness and cleansing, because each day we fail to keep the law of love.
Luke 10:27 NASB "YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND; AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF." This is the will of God for every Christian.
When we fail to conform to this law of love, we sin. Our sin may be one of omission, not doing what we ought, or one of commission, doing what we should not do. Either way, it is sin. With sin comes a troubled conscience which is the Holy Spirit pointing out our sinfulness. This has NOTHING to do with our POSITION before God as Christians, but with our SENSE OF PEACE AND FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM. This has NOTHING to do with heaven, rather it concerns our earthly existence, issues of sanctification, and peace in our hearts. The Christian cannot live in peace with the knowledge that some part of his life is CONSISTENTLY sinful. When he has been convicted of not loving God and his neighbor as he should he WILL CONFESS that sin to God which confession will bring forgiveness and a peaceful conscience. In that moment He will feel clean and close to God once again.
I cannot emphasize enough that I am not speaking of being saved over and over again, but rather, of the daily washing of our feet. The Christian is clean inside and out, but, his feet get dirty and must be washed. That is, having been washed by the blood of the Lamb we are pure and eternally acceptable to God. But, we live and move and have our being in a world of sin. We wrestle against sin, the flesh, and the Devil. Our feet, as it were, are yet on earth while our souls are in heaven. As we work out our salvation day to day our feet are soiled and MUST be washed. We don't loose our salvation but we are stained by sin and need to be cleansed.
Jesus makes this very point in John 13:1-18 NASB. {3} "Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God, and was going back to God, {4} rose from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself about. {5} Then He poured water into the basin, and BEGAN TO WASH THE DISCIPLES' FEET, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded."
The disciples, like all their contemporaries, wore sandal type shoes or no shoes at all. Therefore, even if they had just taken a bath, a short walk outside would soil their feet. Therefore, it was customary for a host to have his servants wash the feet of his guests.
{6} "And so He came to Simon Peter. He said to Him, "Lord, do You wash my feet?" {7} Jesus answered and said to him, "What I do you do not realize now, but you shall understand hereafter." {8} Peter said to Him, "NEVER SHALL YOU WASH MY FEET!" Jesus answered him, "IF I DO NOT WASH YOU, YOU HAVE NO PART WITH ME."
This portion of the text tells us clearly that what Jesus is doing has to do with something far more important than a physical foot washing. For Jesus says, "If I don't wash you feet you have no part of Me", i.e., "you're not a Christian at all!" (Compare verse eight to I John 1:5-10.)
{9} Simon Peter said to Him, "Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head." {10} Jesus said to him, "HE WHO HAS BATHED NEEDS ONLY TO WASH HIS FEET, BUT IS COMPLETELY CLEAN; and you are clean, but not all of you." {11} For He knew the one who was betraying Him; for this reason He said, "Not all of you are clean."
What does He mean when He says, "Not all of you are clean?" He speaks of Judas of course. Was he a man who refused to take baths and was, therefore, unclean and smelly? No, Christ's words refer to salvation, to the washing of regeneration by the Word, (Titus 3:5). He speaks of being cleansed by faith in His blood and righteousness. What Jesus says is this, "You are all Christians, except one, Judas, who is about to betray Me. You who are saved do not need to take a bath in my blood all over again, BUT you do need your feet washed on a daily basis. That is, you need Me to cleanse you from daily pollution, sins, trespasses, debts, or as it is phrased in I John, from ALL unrighteousness.
{12} And so when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments, and reclined at the table again, He said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? {13} "You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. {14} "If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, (That is, forgave you the corruptions of the day.) YOU ALSO OUGHT TO WASH ONE ANOTHER'S FEET. (You are to forgive your Brother's sins against you even as I continue to forgive your sins against Me.) {15} "FOR I GAVE YOU AN EXAMPLE THAT YOU ALSO SHOULD DO AS I DID TO YOU. {16} "TRULY, TRULY, I SAY TO YOU, A SLAVE IS NOT GREATER THAN HIS MASTER; (So that he should insist on the payment of debt when the Master forgives his debt.) NEITHER IS ONE WHO IS SENT GREATER THAN THE ONE WHO SENT HIM. {17} "IF YOU KNOW THESE THINGS, YOU ARE BLESSED IF YOU DO THEM."
Willingness to forgive is characteristic of those who have been forgiven by faith in Jesus. Forgiving others is a sign of having been blessed by God with forgiveness of sins. Forgiving others also brings a blessing to the heart, mind, and conscience of the Christian. Obtaining and giving forgiveness brings peace of conscience and sound, peaceful sleep. In some cases granting forgiveness to one who has sinned against you will bring health. For bitterness toward and hatred of the brethren invites disease and the discipline of the Lord.
This large passage of scripture was never intended to promote ceremonial foot washing. It is about Jesus' willingness to forgive us our continuing sins on a daily basis. It is about us forgiving our brothers and sisters just as Christ forgives us. This is what Christians do. Christ, however, offers a warning to Christians who will not forgive those who sin against them.
Matt. 6:14, "For if you forgive men for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. {15} "But if you do not forgive men, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions."
To refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters DISQUALIFIES you for daily cleansing and sheds great doubt on your professed faith in Christ as Savior. The refusal to forgive is SIN and sin unconfessed closes the ears of God to your prayers. Psalms 66:18 KJV "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord WILL NOT HEAR ME:" Until you confess and turn from all known sin in your life, including the sin of un-forgiveness toward others, God will not hear your prayers.
Further, refusing to confess and turn from the sin of un-forgiveness calls forth the discipline of God. Consider the following illustration.
(Matthew 18:21-35 NASB) "Then Peter came and said to Him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" {22} Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. (Meaning, we are to continue to forgive our Brothers and Sisters so long as we have cause to believe they are our Brothers and Sisters.) {23} "For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a certain king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. {24} "And when he had begun to settle them, there was brought to him one who owed him ten thousand talents. {25} "But since he did not have the means to repay, (No man has the means to pay the debt he owes to God.) his lord commanded him to be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment to be made. {26} "The slave therefore falling down, prostrated himself before him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will repay you everything.' {27} "And the lord !
of that slave felt compassion and released him and FORGAVE HIM THE DEBT. (This is the only way things can ever be made right between God and sinners, their debt must be forgiven.) {28} "But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who OWED HIM a hundred denarii; and he seized him and began to choke him, saying, 'PAY BACK WHAT YOU OWE.' {29} "So his fellow slave fell down and began to entreat him, saying, 'Have patience with me and I will repay you.' {30} "He was unwilling however, but went and threw him in prison until he should pay back what was owed. {31} "So when his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were deeply grieved and came and reported to their lord all that had happened. {32} "Then summoning him, his lord said to him, 'You wicked, (sinful), slave, I FORGAVE YOU ALL THAT DEBT because you entreated me. {33} 'SHOULD YOU NOT ALSO HAVE HAD MERCY ON YOUR FELLOW SLAVE, EVEN AS I HAD MERCY ON YOU?'
One who has recognized the infinite nature of the debt forgiven him in salvation will NEVER find any sin, against himself, to serious to forgive. Why is that? It is because the Christian understands that his sins against the perfect holiness of God are INFINITELY WICKED and deserve INFINITE, ETERNAL, PUNISHMENT. But in spite of this great sin he has been forgiven by Christ through faith. The person who understands how great a debt has been forgiven him has no problem forgiving the lessor debts owed him by sinners such as himself.
{34} "And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him. {35} "So shall My heavenly Father also do to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart."
There are two people that might fit the description of this wicked servant. First, he may be a Christian who is ignorant of how great his sin against God was and is on a daily basis. Because of this ignorance he thinks more highly of himself than he should. He thinks he is due a certain treatment and respect by other men and indeed demands it. When he is sinned against he will demand payment of the debt in full even though Christ cancels all his debt outright. Pride is still very much the king of this mans life. This person will be turned over to the tormentors, a guilty conscience, disease, or some other stinging discipline of the Lord until he pays what is due. That which is due is, confession of the sin of un-forgiveness, repentance from the same, and a renewed Love for God and his neighbor. Many of these people remain in the tormentors house for a long time for the hardness of their hearts.
Then, I believe this person may be an unbeliever who has pretended to be a Christian. In other words, a person who is not born again. This man or woman knows nothing of forgiveness and, therefore, cannot forgive others. This person, will be delivered over to the tormentors, he will be sent to an eternal hell until he pays for his sin in full. Problem is, infinite sin, deserves, and shall receive infinite punishment. The debt will never be paid.
The lessons of the day are these.
Christians sin against God each day and MUST seek cleansing for that sin. Jesus teaches us to pray, "Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us." This forgiveness has nothing to do with salvation, but with sanctification, peace of mind, and fellowship with God.
Secondly we have seen the importance of forgiving those who sin against us and of seeking their forgiveness for our violations against them. Let's end with the words of Colossians 3:12-17 NASB. "And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; {13} BEARING WITH ONE ANOTHER, AND FORGIVING EACH OTHER, WHOEVER HAS A COMPLAINT AGAINST ANYONE; JUST AS THE LORD FORGAVE YOU, SO ALSO SHOULD YOU. {14} And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. {15} And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. {16} Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. {17} And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God!
the Father."
May our gracious God and the Lord Jesus Christ teach us to pray with understanding, "Forgive us our sins and we forgive those who sin against us."
