LIVING WORD DEVOTIONAL
By Pastor Mensa Otabil
Friday 17th June 2022
FORGIVE US
Scripture Reading: Matthew 6
And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. Matthew 6:12
The theme of forgiveness runs through the life, mission, and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. He preached it, lived for it and died for it. In His resurrection, He opened the way for each of us to have access to God’s forgiveness.
Jesus placed forgiveness at the center of our prayer lives.
What are debts? They refer to dues, duties that are owed and that which is legally due. In relation to sin, it means neglecting to do what is expected of us. When we neglect to do what God expects of us, we have sinned. And when we fail to do what is expected of us in our relationships, we have sinned.
Every one of us has failed at some point to do what we should. Certainly, no individual can ever claim to have perfectly fulfilled all obligations to God and other people. That makes sin a universal reality. Everyone fails in their duty at some point to some degree. Everyone needs to pray “forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”
This is the only conditional petition in the Lord’s prayer. God forgives us as we forgive. If He is merciful to us, we must in turn be merciful. When we receive God’s forgiveness, we must not turn around and be judgmental towards others.
There are those who do us much evil. In this world, many say and do all manner of evil against us. Sadly, some of the most painful acts against us could be from our brothers and sisters in Christ or close family relations. Christ says we must not react nor be harsh towards those who sin severely against us, but we must forgive. We must forgive if we wish to be forgiven.
An unforgiving spirit causes pain, hurt and tragedy—both to oneself and others. It can ruin lives, especially the lives of those closest and dearest to us.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, today I forgive those who have sinned against me. Forgive me of all my sins. In Jesus’ name, Amen.