Quiet Time Coaching Episode 242

“forgive us our sins as we forgive the sins of those who sin against us” (Matthew 6:12 NIV11)

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” (Matthew 6:12 NAS95)

“Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.” (Matthew 6:12 MESSAGE)

  • Thames Valley teaching series: more theology
  • First half of prayer all about God and his priorities
  • Second half about us and our needs
  • Looking back to beatitudes – “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” (Matthew 5:7 NIV11)
  1. Debts
  • Jewish teaching regarded sins as “debts” before God; the same Aramaic word could be used for both.
  • What are we praying for, when we pray asking for forgiveness?
  • Personal honesty: “If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.” (1 John 1:8–10 NAS95)
    • An act of faithful surrender
  • Corporate nature – our collective sins as Christendom? Local church? Not tackling injustices around us?
    • “Thus says the LORD, “For three transgressions of Israel and for four I will not revoke its punishment, because they sell the righteous for money and the needy for a pair of sandals.” (Amos 2:6 NAS95)

2. Have Forgiven…

  • “The point lies not in the time-sequence, but, as vv. 14–15 will explain, in the insincerity of a prayer for forgiveness from an unforgiving disciple.” France, R. T. Matthew: An Introduction and Commentary. TNTC
    • “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:14–15 NIV11)
  • It would be insincere to ask for forgiveness while at the same time holding on to bitterness towards someone else
  • We need to desire other people to be forgiven as much as we hope for it ourselves
  • We are not victims, we are healers – of ourselves and other people
  • Jesus, as ever, is our example: “Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”” (Luke 23:34 NAS95)

Conclusion

  • Don’t forget that there is more than enough grace
  • “The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5:20–21 NAS95)
    • More grace than sin
    • God delights to forgive
      • A comfort to you and me
      • And an inspiration to motivate our forgiveness of others
  • Questions for discussion:
    • What stands out to you from this verse?
    • How might your prayer life grow because of what this verse teaches you about God, yourself and prayer?
  • Suggestion: Pray this verse every day between now and the next episode

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.

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“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: “An elephant’s swimming pool”, a devotional look at the Gospel of John