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OUR TEXT
Matthew 6:12
And forgive us our debts,/ Imperative
The Heart of God is to forgive.
As we forgive our debtors, / Present Indicative
You are never more like Christ than when you forgive... as He forgives. (Putting away the record of wrongs.)
1-THE PROBLEM/ THE CHOICE
Each of us has at some time felt wronged by another person or persons. At the point of our hurt we have a choice to forgive and be released from our own sins or to judge and become bitter and resentful.
Bitterness Results in:
- Loss of Peace
- Emotional Distress
- Physical Illness
- Destroys Fellowship with God and the offender
- Will Cause other Human Relationships to suffer
2-UNFORGIVENESS IS A BIG BARRIER TO THE OPERATION OF THE KING'S BENEFITS IN YOUR LIFE.
Word study--Debtor=3781{ of-i-let'-ace}
from 3784; TDNT - 5:565, 746; n m
AV - debtor 5, sinner 1, which owed 1; 7
GK - 4050 { ojfeilevth" }
1) one who owes another, a debtor
1a) one held by some obligation, bound by some duty
1b) one who has not yet made amends to whom he has injured:
1b1) one who owes God penalty or whom God can demand punishment as something due, i.e. a sinner
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3-BITTERNESS AND RESENTMENT ARE SINS
- Sins have no place in the Life of a believer
- Sins close off the believer from His or Her help until repented of.
1 John 1:9 Amplified Bible (AMP)
9 If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action].
Matthew 6:14-15 (AMP)
14 For if you forgive people their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
15 But if you do not forgive others their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses.
4-BITTERNESS MUST BE REPLACED WITH LOVE
1 Corinthians 13:5Amplified Bible (AMP)
5
It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].
5-HATRED IN THE HEART SHUTS DOWN THE OPERATION OF THE KINGDOM IN YOUR LIFE.
Illustration
-Imagine a caravan loaded with what you need, ready to be delivered to you. All you have to do is make the call. You make the call, but the line is blocked and the caravan drivers can't receive your call. You would want to do everything possible to remove whatever is blocking the line, right? God's Word tells us that "Unforgiveness" will block the line. We unblock the line by forgiving and removing grudges.
Closing Thoughts
Christian by Definition Means like Christ - Following His Example
Romans 5:8Amplified Bible (AMP)
8 But God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for us.
Ephesians 4:31-32Amplified Bible (AMP)
31 Let all bitterness and indignation and wrath (passion, rage, bad temper) and resentment (anger, animosity) and quarreling (brawling, clamor, contention) and slander (evil-speaking, abusive or blasphemous language) be banished from you, with all malice (spite, ill will, or baseness of any kind).
Hebrews 12:14 -15
14 Strive to live in peace with everybody and pursue that consecration and holiness without which no one will [ever] see the Lord.
15 Exercise foresight and be on the watch to look [after one another], to see that no one falls back from and fails to secure God's grace (His favor and spiritual blessing), in order that no root of resentment (rancor, bitterness, or hatred) shoots forth and causes trouble and bitter torment, and the many become contaminated and defiled by it-
1 Peter 2:19-23Amplified Bible (AMP)
19 For one is regarded favorably (is approved, acceptable, and thankworthy) if, as in the sight of God, he endures the pain of unjust suffering.
20 [After all] what kind of glory [is there in it] if, when you do wrong and are punished for it, you take it patiently? But if you bear patiently with suffering [which results] when you do right and that is undeserved, it is acceptable and pleasing to God.
21 For even to this were you called [it is inseparable from your vocation]. For Christ also suffered for you, leaving you [His personal] example, so that you should follow in His footsteps.
22 He was guilty of no sin, neither was deceit (guile) ever found on His lips
23 When He was reviled and insulted, He did not revile or offer insult in return; [when] He was abused and suffered, He made no threats [of vengeance]; but he trusted [Himself and everything] to Him Who judges fairly.
Closing Prayer
Dear Lord,
Thank you for forgiving us for the many sins that we have committed against your will. Because you forgive us so freely and do not remember our wrongs, we ask you to forgive us for holding others wrongs against them.
We forgive all of those who have offended and wronged us. Surely if they knew the hurt they would not wish the suffering on us and receive the same into themselves. Show us how to let go of our hurts and wrongs today and to love as you love. Heal us today of our many wounds.
In Jesus precious Healing Name We Pray.
