“‘And forgive us our sins, For we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us [who has offended or wronged us] (Luke 11:4, AMP). There it is! In the center of this prayer, we are asked to look once more at our own hearts. “For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (I Samuel 16:7 NKJV). Therefore, asking God to forgive us as we forgive others is a sobering thought. How often have I harbored resentment, pain, anger, or bitterness against someone who has wronged me? Or how often do we “judge” another dear Christian who is struggling along this path? If indeed I ask God to forgive me as I FORGIVE OTHERS, I fear I would find myself in a desperate state of unforgiveness.
Phillip Keller said it so well when he wrote: “Beneath all our difficulties in forgiving others lies the formidable foundational fact of human pride. The iron-like resistance of our egos, the great, central I, which stands like a huge, steel beam at the very core of our makeup refuses to budge, or bend, or be broken. We insist on our rights; we defend ourselves; we lay claim to our privileges; we hold fast to our positions. Mine, me, and I stand guard, jealously protecting our personal self esteem and our proud reputation” [1]
So, how are we to learn to forgive others? Furthermore, how are we to understand the gravity of Luke 11:4?
To Really Forgive Others
Again, we must consider the heart of the matter. God cannot forgive us if we come to Him asking forgiveness, with hearts who do not really know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Unless I believe that Jesus Christ is the only begotten son of God, I have no hope of forgiveness. Furthermore, I must believe that He died on the cross to pay the debt of my sin. I should have rightfully died eternally. It was my sin that should have bore the painful stripes that were laid upon His body. And, I must believe that He rose again victorious over sin and death. One more thing, I must believe that it was His Love that bids me come to His throne of Grace where forgiveness and mercy pours forth for me.
If, indeed, I truly believe all of this; then, I may boldly, humbly bow before His Throne of grace to seek forgiveness for my sin. Beyond that, if I truly believe and even slightly comprehend the magnitude of His Grace, then, I will forgive others. Because when I see the wretchedness of my own heart, I can extend grace to others. Only when I see me through Calvary’s Blood can I see others through the eyes of Jesus. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do (Luke 23:34).
To really forgive others, we need to see them through the eyes of Jesus. We can only do that when we know Him as Savior, Lord and King. When we fully recognize our frailty and the depth of forgiveness we have been given by God. Then, we can forgive others. And we can reach out our hand to fellow Christians who have stumbled along the way.
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
To truly pray the Lord’s Prayer with sincere hearts, we must examine our own hearts. I must come to the end of me, that Christ might have the victory.
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; Because, He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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Previous Posts Concerning the Lord’s Prayer
Is Your Heart Truly Broken by Your Sin?
What are You Really Asking God For?
Do You Mean It When You Pray Thy Will Be Done?
How to Live in Joyful Expectation of God’s Kingdom
How to Really Honor God: Hallowed Be Thy Name
What is the Significance of Having a Heavenly Father?
Do You Really Know God as Father?
How Important is the Lord’s Prayer?
POEMS
Oh, Father Dear, What Can I Say? A Prayer
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2018
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Footnotes and Credits
Photo by Ben White on Unsplash
[1] Phillip Keller, A Layman Looks at the Lord’s Prayer, in The Inspirational Writings of Phillip Keller, (New York, NY: Inspirational Press, 1993), 232.
AMP: Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved. For Permission To Quote information visit http://www.lockman.org/
NKJV Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.