As We Forgive Our Debtors

Minister:
Date: AM
Text: Matthew 6:14,15; Lord's Day 51
Psalters: 51, 68, 348, 280
  1. The need.
    1. The need to forgive arises because of conflicts between humans.
    2. Therefore conflicts are God-given opportunities (I Cor. 10:31 – 11:1).
      1. The opportunity to glorify God by trusting Him, depending on the principles He taught and obeying Him.
      2. The opportunity to be Christ-like (I Cor. 4:16) for conflict shows us our pride and encourages us to depend on Him.
      3. The opportunity to serve the one with whom we are in conflict.
  2. The activity God requires of us is to forgive.
    1. To forgive is costly because when a debt is cancelled, the liability is absorbed by the one forgiving.
    2. Forgiveness is an act of our will, not a feeling (though it becomes a feeling).
      1. It is an active process involving conscious choice and a deliberate course of action – not forgetting or avoiding.
      2. It consists of our making four promises, and doing so for God’s sake.
      3. Forgiving does not release the sinner from all the consequences of the sin, but it does release them revenge.
  3. The experience of forgiveness.
    1. Jesus teaches us to pray this prayer exactly as He gave it to us.
    2. God gives His children the ability to love and forgive one another.
    3. Helps for forgiving our debtors.