Matthew 6:9-13 - The Lord's Prayer - part 4 - And forgive us our debts, as we forgive ...
Mat.6:9-13: The Lord's Prayer - part 4 - And forgive us our
debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Mat 6:9-13 (KJV) After this manner therefore pray ye: Our
Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our
daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine
is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
DEVOTIONAL PEARL
Jesus teaches that we can receive forgiveness from God only as
we forgive others. It is the love of God that draws us unto Him,
and that love cannot touch our hearts without creating love for our
brethren.... He who is unforgiving cuts off the very channel through which
alone he can receive mercy from God. We should not think that unless
those who have injured us confess the wrong we are justified in
withholding from them our forgiveness. It is their part, no doubt, to humble
their hearts by repentance and confession; but we are to have a spirit
of compassion toward those who have trespassed against us, whether
or not they confess their faults. However sorely they may have
wounded us, we are not to cherish our grievances and sympathize with
ourselves over our injuries; but as we hope to be pardoned for our
offenses against God we are to pardon all who have done evil to us. But
forgiveness has a broader meaning than many suppose. When God gives the
promise that He "will abundantly pardon," He adds, as if the meaning of
that promise exceeded all that we could comprehend: "My thoughts are
not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher
than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:7-9.
God's forgiveness is not merely a judicial act by which He sets us
free from condemnation. It is not only forgiveness for sin, but
reclaiming from sin. It is the outflow of redeeming love that transforms
the heart. MB102-22
THE FOLLOWING FOR THOSE WHO DESIRE DEEPER STUDY:
CONTENT; What's in the verse; Translations; Paraphrase; Word
Study:
Mat 6:9-13 (KJV) After this manner therefore pray ye: Our
Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our
daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine
is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Mat 6:9-13 (NLT) Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your
name be honored. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done
here on earth, just as it is in heaven. Give us our food for today,
and forgive us our sins, just as we have forgiven those who have
sinned against us. And don't let us yield to temptation, but deliver
us from the evil one.
Debts: Moral debts, i.e., sins. [NIV SB]
Debts. a common word for legal debts (cf. Rom. 4:4), but used
here of moral and spiritual indebtedness. Here sin is pictured as a
debt and the sinner as a debtor. The parallel passage in Luke has
"sins" . [SDA Commentary]
As we forgive. That is, as it is our habit to forgive. Textual
evidence is divided (cf. p. 146) between this and the reading "as we have
forgiven," implying that we dare not ask for forgiveness unless and until
we have forgiven our fellow men. [SDA Commentary]
Our debtors. That is, those who have wronged us. [SDA Commentary]
CONTEXT; What's around the verse; Overview; Topic:
Overview
Kingdom citizens have an "in-secret" relationship with God
(6:1-5), knowing how (vv. 6-8) and what (vv. 9-15) to pray. Such prayer
has nothing to do with outward show (vv. 16-18). With our attention
on heaven (vv. 19-24) and our trust in God as Father, we are freed
to concentrate on kingdom living (vv. 25-34). Because relationship
with God is "in secret," we do not judge others (7:1-6), we
consciously depend on our Father (vv. 7-12), and we choose His "narrow gate"
(vv. 13-14). As we do, God's power is exhibited in our good lives
(vv. 15-23) and obedience (vv. 24-29). [The 365-Day Devotional
Commentary]
Praying (vv. 5-15).
Jesus says, "When you pray" (NIV) not "If you pray"; He expects
us to pray. The first thing that characterized Paul after his
conversion was his praying (Acts 22:17). Jesus emphasizes that it is a sin
to pray to be seen and heard by others. Prayer is secret fellowship
with God, although public prayer is certainly authorized in the
Bible. However, nobody should pray in public who does not pray in
private; for that would be hypocrisy. Jesus points out three common
errors concerning prayer: (1) praying to be heard by others (vv. 5-6);
(2) praying mere words, empty repetition (vv. 7-8); and (3) praying
with sin in the heart (vv. 14-15). God does not forgive us because we
forgive others but on the basis of the blood of Christ (1 John 1:9).
However, an unforgiving spirit will hinder a prayer life and show that a
person has no understanding of the grace of God. The so-called "Lord's
Prayer" of vv. 9-13 is not given to be recited thoughtlessly. Rather, it
is a model for us to use to learn to pray. It is a "family
prayer"--note the repeated "our" and "us." It puts God's name, God's kingdom,
and God's will before the earthly needs of people. It cautions us
against selfish praying. [Wiersbe Expository Outlines]
The "Lord's Prayer" (Matt. 6:9-13) was clearly a model for the
disciples to follow, not an exact formula to recite in each prayer. In the
parallel passage in Luke 11:2-4, the words vary, but the pattern remains
the same. [New Bible Companion]
The Lord's Prayer is a model for our prayers. It begins with
adoration of God (v. 9), acknowledges subjection to His will (v. 10), asks
petitions of Him (vv. 11-13a), and ends with an ascription of praise (v.
13b, though this may have been added later). [Ryrie SB]
The Model Prayer both commands and teaches Christians how to
pray. The prayer contains six petitions, divided equally. The first
three (vv 9-10) concern God's holiness and purposes; the second group
(vv 11-13) contain three personal requests. [Disciple SB]
The body of the prayer falls into two main parts characterized
by ascending development. The first part contains three petitions
concerning the glory of God: (1) the hallowing of His name (v. 9), (2) the
consummation of His kingly reign (v. 10), and (3) the fulfillment of God's
will on earth as in heaven (v. 10). The second part contains
petitions concerned with the personal needs of His disciples: (1)
provision (v. 11), (2) pardon (v. 12), and (3) protection (v. 13). The
doxology, "For Yours is the kingdom ..." (v. 13b), is not in some
manuscripts (NU omits the rest of verse 13) and is patterned after David's
prayer (1 Chr. 29:11-13). This model prayer ... serves as a pattern for
all prayer. [Believer's SB]
The Lord's Prayer
I cannot say "our" if I live only for myself.
I cannot say "Father" if I do not endeavor each day to act like
His child.
I cannot say "who are in heaven" if I am laying up no treasure
there.
I cannot say "hallowed be thy name" if I am not striving for
holiness.
I cannot say "Thy kingdom come" if I am not doing all in my
power to hasten that wonderful event.
I cannot say "Thy will be done" if I am disobedient to his word.
I cannot say "on earth as it is in heaven" if I'll not serve Him
here and now.
I cannot say "forgive us our debts" if I harbor a grudge against
anyone.
I cannot say "lead us not into temptation" if I deliberately
place myself in its path.
I cannot say "deliver us from evil" if I do not put on the whole
armor of God.
I cannot say " Thine is the kingdom" if I do not give the King
the loyalty due Him from a faithful subject.
I cannot attribute to Him "the power" if I fear what men may do.
I cannot attribute to Him "the glory" if I'm seeking honor only
for myself.
I cannot say "forever" if the horizon of my life is bounded
completely by time. -Author Unknown.
Brenda Jean Williams [mailto:BrendaJean.Williams@us.coopers.com]
LORD, I cannot say "Our"...
if my religion has no room for other people and their needs.
LORD, I cannot say "Father"...
if I fail to resemble You in the way I live my daily life.
LORD, I cannot say "Who art in Heaven"...
if my attention is focused only on earthly things.
LORD, I cannot say "Hallowed be Thy name"...
if I who am called by Your name am not holy.
LORD, I cannot say "Thy Kingdom come"...
if I fail to acknowledge Your sovereignty in my life.
LORD, I cannot say, "On earth as it is in Heaven"...
unless I am truly ready to serve You here and now.
LORD, I cannot say "Give us this day our daily bread"...
without doing an honest day's work, and without considering the
needs of those less fortunate.
LORD, I cannot say "Forgive us our debts as we forgive our
debtors"...
if I harbor a grudge against my brother or sister.
LORD, I cannot say "Lead us not into temptation"...
if I deliberately choose to remain in a situation where I am
likely to be tempted.
LORD, I cannot say "Deliver us from evil"...
if I am not prepared to take a stand against injustice in my
society.
LORD, I cannot say "Thine is the Kingdom, the Power, and the
Glory"...
if I do not submit to Christ as King, if I fail to trust You to
act in my life, or if in pride I seek my own glory.
LORD, I cannot say "Amen"...
unless I can honestly say, "Come what may, this is my prayer."
Adapted from "Lamplighter," Speedway Christian Church, Indianapolis,
Indiana [The 365-Day Devotional Commentary]
He presents His own ideal of prayer, words so simple that they
may be adopted by the little child, yet so comprehensive that their
significance can never be fully grasped by the greatest minds. We are taught
to come to God with our tribute of thanksgiving, to make known our
wants, to confess our sins, and to claim His mercy in accordance with
His promise. MB102-22
This does not prohibit long prayers; Jesus prayed all night (Lk
6:12). [Disciple SB]
It was from hours spent with God that He came forth, morning by
morning, to bring the light of heaven to men. The disciples had come to
connect His hours of prayer with the power of His words and works.
MB102-22
SECTION HEADINGS
Jesus teaches about prayer (6:5-15)
Teaching about Prayer and Fasting
The Lord's Prayer (6:5-15)
CROSS REFERENCES; What's in verses elsewhere.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Exodus 34:7 (KJV) Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving
iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the
guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon
the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth
generation.
Ephes. 4:32 (KJV) And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted,
forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Matthew 6:14 (KJV) For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your
heavenly Father will also forgive you:
Matthew 18:21, 22 (KJV) Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord,
how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till
seven times? [22] Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until
seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
Luke 17:3, 4 (KJV) Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother
trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. [4] And
if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times
in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive
him.
Isaiah 1:18 (KJV) Come now, and let us reason together, saith
the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as
snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
1 John 1:7-9 (KJV) But if we walk in the light, as he is in the
light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus
Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. [8] If we say that we have no
sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. [9] If we
confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Psalm 32:1 (KJV) Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.
COMMENTARY / APPLICATION: Moving From The Head To The Heart
What is God teaching here? What does it teach about Jesus?
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Forgive us our debts. humbled by God's forgiving love, we have
compassion on those who hurt or harm us. [The 365-Day Devotional
Commentary]
The one thing essential for us in order that we may receive and
impart the forgiving love of God is to know and believe the love that
He has to us. 1 John 4:16. Satan is working by every deception he
can command, in order that we may not discern that love. He will
lead us to think that our mistakes and transgressions have been so
grievous that the Lord will not have respect unto our prayers and will
not bless and save us. MB102-22
Jesus teaches that we can receive forgiveness from God only as
we forgive others. It is the love of God that draws us unto Him,
and that love cannot touch our hearts without creating love for our
brethren.... He who is unforgiving cuts off the very channel through which
alone he can receive mercy from God. We should not think that unless
those who have injured us confess the wrong we are justified in
withholding from them our forgiveness. It is their part, no doubt, to humble
their hearts by repentance and confession; but we are to have a spirit
of compassion toward those who have trespassed against us, whether
or not they confess their faults. However sorely they may have
wounded us, we are not to cherish our grievances and sympathize with
ourselves over our injuries; but as we hope to be pardoned for our
offenses against God we are to pardon all who have done evil to us. But
forgiveness has a broader meaning than many suppose. When God gives the
promise that He "will abundantly pardon," He adds, as if the meaning of
that promise exceeded all that we could comprehend: "My thoughts are
not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher
than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:7-9.
God's forgiveness is not merely a judicial act by which He sets us
free from condemnation. It is not only forgiveness for sin, but
reclaiming from sin. It is the outflow of redeeming love that transforms
the heart. MB102-22
The man who is really forgiven, is anxious not to offend again;
the possession of justification leads to an anxious desire for
sanctification. "Forgive us our debts," that is justification;
"Lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from evil," that is sanctification in its
negative and positive forms. [Morning and Evening by Charles H.
Spurgeon]
Calvary alone can reveal the terrible enormity of sin. If we had
to bear our own guilt, it would crush us. But the sinless One has
taken our place; though undeserving, He has borne our iniquity. "If we
confess our sins," God "is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and
to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9. Glorious
truth!-- just to His own law, and yet the Justifier of all that believe
in Jesus. MB102-22
When we feel that we have sinned and cannot pray, it is then the
time to pray. MB102-22
Refusal to forgive makes a person unable to receive God's
forgiveness. [Disciple SB]
ILLUSTRATION
THE BLOOD
One night in a church service a young woman felt the tug of God
at her heart.
She responded to God's call and accepted Jesus as her Lord and
Savior.
The young woman had a very rough past, involving alcohol, drugs,
and prostitution.
But, the change in her was evident. As time went on she became a
faithful member of the church.
She eventually became involved in the ministry, teaching young
children.
It was not very long until this faithful young woman had caught
the eye and heart of the pastor's son.
The relationship grew and they began to make wedding plans.
This is when the problems began.
You see, about one half of the church did not think that a woman
with a past such as hers was suitable for a pastor's son.
The church began to argue and fight about the matter.
So they decided to have a meeting.
As the people made their arguments and tensions increased, the
meeting was getting completely out of hand.
The young woman became very upset about all the things being
brought up about her past.
As she began to cry the pastor's son stood to speak.
He could not bear the pain it was causing his wife to be. He
began to speak and his statement was this:
"My fiancee's past is not what is on trial here.
What you are questioning is the ability of the blood of Jesus to
wash away sin.
Today you have put the blood of Jesus on trial. So, does it wash
away sin or not?"
The whole church began to weep as they realized that they had
been slandering the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Too often, even as Christians, we bring up the past and use it
as a weapon against our brothers and sisters.
Forgiveness is a very foundational part of the Gospel of our
Lord Jesus Christ.
If the blood of Jesus does not cleanse the other person
completely then it cannot cleanse us completely.
If that is the case, then we are all in a lot of trouble.
What can wash away my sins?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus! End of case!!!!
"Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee he
shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." Psalm 55:23
[source unknown]
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