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Forgiveness is a key theme in Scripture. An understanding and revelation of grace is the key to walking and living in forgiveness. The Lord’s Pattern of Prayer now transitions to what I call the progression of forgiveness. The phrase is “Forgive us our debts as WE forgive our debtors”. Jesus is teaching that we must experience God the Father’s forgiveness and then release forgiveness on others. This is consistent with living the first and second commandment which Jesus says the rest of Scripture hinges on these two commandments. We must encounter a love affair with God and experience Him and then and only then can that love flow to others even our enemies. We must be forgiven and then become forgivers. The sobering words of Jesus in Matthew 6:14-15, “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.” This is a call to an unoffendable, forgiving heart. Jesus is declaring this is how we must walk. These words should roll off our lips, “How can I NOT forgive you because God has forgiven me so much!” I see two distinct steps to living this way and for this article we will meditate on this beautiful and freeing truth. The first step is experiencing a repentant heart before a HOLY GOD. I do not think there is a better story than King David and his sin to illustrate this. David in Psalm 51 cries out to God, “CLEANSE ME, CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART…” Repentance is deep and turns away from our sin. I clearly see that Jesus points out that there is repentance and receiving of God’s forgiveness. This process is back and forth. We agree with God about our sinfulness and He releases His glorious forgiveness. I John 1:9 states to “agree with” God about our sin. David becomes a man after God’s own heart because he encountered a release of God’s mercy and grace in forgiveness. The subject of seriousness of sin is the key to understanding the wonderful, matchless grace of God. Our society has rationalized sin and even made it funny and comfortable. Sin grieves the heart of God and it is very serious. We must loathe sin like God loathes it. Even our churches have downgraded the seriousness of sin. Jesus is reminding us here in the pattern of prayer of the serious need for forgiveness. Major Lindsey Rowe writes, “The Christian perspective on sin ought to be very obvious, we should recognize it readily and part with it without reluctance. Yet, you and I both know that this is not always the way we react. The Corinthians had come to Christ from the cesspool of paganism yet they not only had a man in their congregation who was living with his father's wife but the church was actually proud of it. Instead of the church cleansing the sewer it became more contaminated than the world of paganism itself for even the pagans had a taboo on incest. How absolutely horrendous, you say. How could the church even tolerate much less brag about condoning such a sin? Now wait a minute. I think I have a pretty good idea about what Paul is saying here and I'd be happy to do a bible study on the details of the passage sometime but for now let me call your attention to what I see as Paul's major concern here. I'm sure Paul is deeply concerned about the individual who is involved in this heinous sin and he outlines a rather radical approach to his redemption. But it is obvious that Paul's greater concern here is the attitude of the church toward this man and more importantly, their attitude toward sin within the church itself. What must be done to the sinner is obvious to him, what to do about the church's attitude toward sin is a far greater concern. I see Paul walking the floor of his cell in Peterborough jail for hours trying to figure out how to address that same issue in our churches. Now, you say, that's pretty radical, Major, Christians are not being persecuted in our society, we are civilized, why would Paul be in jail? Because he is not willing to compromise the gospel by accommodating any man's sin.” This quote speaks to my heart because it calls the church to no compromise. We are living in a day and age where we must choose this day whom we will serve. What is your choice? I can tell you until we fall at the foot of the cross and recognize the seriousness of our sin, we cannot fully receive the benefits and glorious power of God’s grace. We must not accommodate any man’s sin. We must repent and receive God’s forgiveness. The second step in the pattern of prayer is a release of forgiveness of those who offend us. The key to an unoffendable heart is forgiveness. As God forgives us, we are to forgive others. As God loves us, we are to love others. This forgiveness is the carryover of an encounter, experience and revelation of personal relationship with God. We must ask God reveal your forgiveness in my heart so that I can forgive people as You forgive me. Is there room for grudges? Is there room for hanging on to offenses? NO! The release is forgiveness. Right now, who comes to your mind? Stop, repent of your sin, receive God’s grace and release forgiveness on them. We must turn around and lavish love on them. How does God forgive? There is no better passage than Psalm 103:12, “As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.” We must be forgetful when it comes to the matter of sin. I want to close with this story. You are familiar with this story, but observe how the Father forgives. He runs to him, He embraces him, He kisses him, He forgives him, and He throws a party. Let us run to forgive like this story: When he was still a long way off, his father saw him. His heart pounding, he ran out, embraced him, and kissed him. The son started his speech: 'Father, I've sinned against God, I've sinned before you; I don't deserve to be called your son ever again.' "But the father wasn't listening. He was calling to the servants, 'Quick. Bring a clean set of clothes and dress him. Put the family ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Then get a grain-fed heifer and roast it. We're going to feast! We're going to have a wonderful time! My son is here—given up for dead and now alive! Given up for lost and now found!' And they began to have a wonderful time. By Kurt Steele www.kurtsteele.net
Article Source: http://christian-topics.info
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