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Devotional For the Week 14th February 2005

The Lord's Prayer (4)
Scripture Reference: Matthew 6:9-13

Forgive Us Our Debts As We Forgive Our Debtors

'Forgive Us Our Debts'

Sin is primarily the unwillingness to obey God's will. This unwillingness drives us further away from Him, with each occurrence.

Scripture records that sin is a debt. Why?

Sin is like an overdrawn account with God. For a debt is incurred when you take something that is not yours – from someone else – to settle your own problems.

And it has to be repaid – later.

So why is it that when we sin, we are in debt to God?

God is our Creator. He created man from the dirt, in His image and breathed the breath of life into him – and made him who he is, special amongst all of creation.

So having been given such life, and uniqueness – It is when man chooses to rebel – it becomes a debt. We are in debt to God – each time we sin – because we destroy that which is not ultimately ours to mess with, when we sin. We do something of our OWN will, and not God's.

Now, here's the good news – Jesus paid the debt for us.

Romans 8:33 says:

'He is the one who has given us the right standing with Himself.' (NLT)

He came from heaven to earth – to die upon the cross – not for His sins, but for ours. He Himself owed nothing. He’d never sinned. His checkbook wasn’t overdrawn the slightest bit – unlike ours. And He had plenty to offer more than you and I can ever have – and with His death, He signed away our bad debts.

His death upon the cross made sure that our sins are forgiven. The account books wiped clean, and a new start ensured. As we continually examine our spiritual condition, we ask for God's forgiveness through Christ our mediator.

“As We Forgive Our Debtors”

We also read of Jesus teaching us to pray for forgiveness of our sins (debts), as we forgive our those who sin against us (debtors).

Jesus reminds us here that it is hypocritical to ask for forgiveness when we ourselves cannot give it. To do so, is to display a lack of understanding of what forgiveness is. If we cannot appreciate something – there is no point in giving it to us.

Reflection

Let God liberate us today. May we wholeheartedly come before Him and seek His forgiveness for the debts we owe Him. Difficult it may seem, may we ask God to help us forgive those who have sinned against us. Meditate on Psalm 51, a beautiful passage of reconciliation.

- Ps Joel Yong

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