I was contemplating the succinct nature of the Lord’s pattern prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) and how Christ could have said so much when saying “After this manner therefore pray…” but instead chose only a few words. Some of this prayer is obvious as a pattern. It makes perfect sense that Jesus would start the prayer and indicate we ought to pray to our heavenly Father recognizing his absolute holiness (vs. 9). It also seems very natural to proceed next to noting the absolute will of God in heaven and how that will should be just as absolute in this earth (vs. 10). Of course, next I can see the need for petitions of provision both physical (daily bread) and spiritual (forgiveness of sins) (vs. 11,12). There is no better way to close our prayers than to seek God’s absolute power and delight in delivering us from the evil one who as a roaring lion walks about seeking to devour the spiritual from off the earth (vs. 13). The closing of the prayer (though only found in Matthew) is very important since prayer is always a recognition of our utter dependence upon God; and our purpose in life is the advance of his kingdom, power, and glory for eternity (vs. 13).
Every one of these specific aspects of prayer could be expounded upon at great lengths, but Jesus Christ, himself, chose to expound upon one aspect of this prayer in verses 14 and 15-the issue of forgiveness. Why is it so important for the Christian to forgive? The perceived veracity concerning redemption of sinners and the salvation of the lost often hinges upon our personal forgiveness of wrongs committed against us. What this means put a different way, is that if others cannot see radical and unconditional forgiveness in us, they will not believe in the radical and unconditional forgiveness through Jesus Christ. If we willingly and freely forgive individuals regardless of how well their confession is crafted, we put the crux of the gospel in living color. The contrary is true as well, if we refuse to forgive, or as some say cannot forgive, the wrongs against us, we invalidate the claims of the gospel in Christ’s promise of forgiveness. This is why the parable about the unforgiving servant who was forgiven such a great debt by his master, yet refused to forgive the pittance owed by his brother is so shocking and even violent. Jesus was trying to shock his audience! And it is shocking that we, absolutely forgiven sinners could hold a grudge or bitterness against another saint who has wronged us (or at least we feel as if we were wronged).
About a year ago, God chastened me deeply with this issue. I experienced torture of soul and deep regret until at last, God “touched my hip” as he touched Jacob’s and I relented into his sovereign will. I realized by God’s grace, that I am forgiven an eternity of violent, perverse sin against my God; how then could I withhold forgiveness for one who is in the same “boat” I am in. What freedom came from that realization! I implore you brothers and sisters with this last statement. “The truly forgiven will forgive unconditionally and without reproach.”
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