“Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” Mt. 6:12
What is my debt? My sin, offense, weight of guilt Why is my debt a weighty thing?
Sin mars God’s image planted within you. Robs Him of glory. Sullies His name.
Prevents His will being done and His Kingdom coming on earth as in heaven.
Abuses His gift of the Holy Spirit; He cannot share space with sin.
Misuses the life and gifts He has given you.
Who is my debtor?
Anyone who has offended you or sinned against you and you’ve not yet forgiven.
Why must we forgive our debtors before we are forgiven?
1 John 1:9-10 says if we confess our sin He will forgive us all unrighteousness. If I refuse to forgive those who offend me, then that sin of unforgiveness still sits upon me as a debt, unconfessed. Confession is the beginning of my forgiveness.
What are the consequences if I do not forgive those who offend me?
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All the effects against God of any other sin, listed in the first paragraph.
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I will experience bitterness moving toward hatred, progress in my faith grinds to a halt, and it will infect the church local and the Body of Christ universal.
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My offender is held in bondage, if I won’t forgive him. His progress in faith is hindered. If my offender is an unbeliever, I’ve robbed him of the opportunity to see God’s forgiveness. He’s increasingly blinded to the grace of God by my resistance.
How do I pay this sin debt?
It is a debt we cannot pay. BUT Jesus took our sin to the cross to face the wrath of God. In doing that, He created for us a way to pay this debt, burden of sin and guilt. Amazingly He has graced us with the gift of confession.
Confession: To agree with God’s judgment of my sin, to ask forgiveness of God and those I have offended, to turn away from it, to make restitution if needed, and to show evidence of repentance. It isn’t saying a silent “sorry” in prayer and continuing as usual.
Why is this a big deal?
It is the one sin listed in the Lord’s Prayer and reemphasized following. Matthew 6:9-15.
We become the unmerciful servant. Consider the parable in Matthew 18:21-35.
Using Old Testament images from Ezekiel and Isaiah:
My unforgiveness causes His glory to leave the Temple.
It means these “dead bones” will not live again.
It is Isaiah’s “trampling under foot” the work of the cross.
Further considerations:
Part of God’s image in me and His gift of salvation is the ability to forgive sin. Evidence of my being forgiven is my eager quickness to forgive others. This results in my becoming increasingly unoffendable, which is a major freedom to be had in Christ.
NOWHERE does Scripture say, forgive your debtor IF he asks your forgiveness.
Conviction of sin, which results in confession, is powerful evidence of God in my life.
*This video testimony of confession might help. Listen close enough to hear Addison say to Craig, “I knew you needed it.”