The Lord’s Prayer (part 6): Forgive Us Our Debts

Reading: Gospel of Matthew 18:21-35 & 6:12

Matt 18:21-35 Then coming up to Him, Peter said, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times? (22) Jesus said to him, I do not say to you, Until seven times, but, Until seventy times seven. (23) Because of this the kingdom of Heaven has been compared to a man, a king, who desired to take account with his slaves. (24) And he having begun to reckon, one debtor of ten thousand talents was brought near to him. (25) But he not having any to repay, the lord commanded him to be sold, also his wife and children, and all things, as much as he had, even to pay back. (26) Then having fallen down, the slave bowed the knee to him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay all to you. (27) And being filled with pity, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the loan. (28) But having gone out, that slave found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii. And seizing him, he choked him, saying, Pay me whatever you owe. (29) Then having fallen down at his feet, his fellow slave begged him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay all to you. (30) But he would not, but having gone away he threw him into prison until he should pay back the amount owing. (31) But his fellow slaves, seeing the things happening, they were greatly grieved. And having come they reported to their lord all the things happening. (32) Then having called him near, his lord said to him, Wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt, since you begged me. (33) Ought you not also to have mercy on your fellow slave, as I also had mercy? (34) And being angry, his lord delivered him up to the tormentors until he pay back all that debt to him. (35) So also My heavenly Father will do to you unless each of you from your hearts forgive his brother their deviations.

Matt 6:12 …and forgive us our debts as we also forgive our debtors.

SERMON

This morning we come to the section of the Lord’s Prayer that deals with the idea of debt, more specifically of our being released or forgiven from our debts. This is a very important spiritual principle, one that we need a clear understanding of because it cuts right to the core of our quality of life. If we don’t understand what this concept of debt is about from a spiritual perspective we can’t really understand what we are asking for when we pray this part of the prayer, and if we don’t understand what we are asking for how can we actually do our part to see that we are brought into a right relationship as far as our lives are concerned with this idea of being in debt.

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