Jesus’ Model Prayer - Part 7
And forgive us our debts, (trespasses) as we forgive our debtors (those who trespass against us).
●And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. ●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.
(Matthew 6:11-15)
IN TWO YEARS (1st AND 2nd GRADES) in the public school, I recited this prayer at least 300 times, including: “And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Miss Hattie Brown and then Miss Vaughn did not go into the Greek or Hebrew to make sure we kiddies understood exactly what was meant by the prayer. The plain reading of the verses is what we needed. They did not need to be scholars to make it safe for us little sinners to recite this prayer.
SOME SINCERE BIBLE TEACHERS WANT TO SAY THAT THIS PRAYER is not for Christians under grace, but only for people under the law of Moses. However, the text is not implying that we are buying forgiveness from God by forgiving someone who has sinned against us. That’s not the point. Paul said: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:32) This is not in conflict with what Jesus taught in the prayer He gave the disciples, but rather, complimentary. Two respected sources of comment are fitting here:
● “We must pray, having a forgiving spirit toward others (Matthew 6:14-15). In this “appendix” to the prayer, Jesus expanded the last phrase of Matthew 6:12, “as we forgive our debtors.” He later repeated this lesson to His disciples (Mark 11:19-26). He was not teaching that believers earned God’s forgiveness by forgiving others; for this would be contrary to God’s free grace and mercy. However, if we have truly experienced God’s forgiveness, then we will have a readiness to forgive others (Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13). Our Lord illustrated this principle in the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant (Matthew 18:21-35). (Wiersbe)
● “Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:14-15 explain His statement about forgiveness in Matthew 6:12. Though God’s forgiveness of sin is not based on one’s forgiving others, a Christian’s forgiveness is based on realizing he has been forgiven (cf. Ephesians 4:32). Personal fellowship with God is in view in these verses (not salvation from sin). One cannot walk in fellowship with God if he refuses to forgive others.” (Bible Knowledge Commentary – Dallas Seminary) The above commentary points out that “Personal fellowship with God is in view in these verses (not salvation from sin).”
Read Through the Bible in a Year
AUGUST 21, 2018 – TUESDAY
A.M. Psalms 119:1-48 P.M. 1Corinthians 3
(Bible Gateway will read this to you if you like. Look for the speaker icon.)
A Good Verse to Memorize:
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. (Psalm 91:1-2)
(Write verse on scrap of paper and put in your pocket to memorize.)
Song for Today:
There Is a Fountain (2:37) (Calvary Mem. Church Choir)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qs6N8s1gPuI
Give plenty of time for connecting. You may need to adjust your volume.
Health Hints:
I’m repeating this material to give everyone time to jot it down for future reference.
AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR CANCER RESEARCH 10 CANCER PREVENTION RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. Be a healthy weight. 2. Be physically active. 3. Eat a diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, fruits and beans. 4. Limit consumption of “fast foods” and other processed foods high in fat, starches or sugars. 5. Limit consumption of red and processed meat. 6. Limit consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks. 7. Limit alcohol consumption. 8. Do not use supplements for cancer prevention. 9. For mothers: breastfeed your baby, if you can. 10. After a cancer diagnosis: follow our Recommendations, if you can. (July 2018)
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