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Lord’s Prayer, Part 4
Just when we’re getting friendly with the idea of depending on God for bread, Jesus crosses into terribly dangerous territory:
Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.We tend to trip over these words because we’re fond of speaking about forgiveness as the “free” gift of God. We can’t earn our pardon, or purchase the grace that pulsates through God’s heart.
If only it were that easy.
Jesus teaches that forgiveness must be given in order to be received – and that doesn’t mean we’re buying our forgiveness. When we give our seeds to the soil hoping to receive a crop we aren’t purchasing a harvest, we’re participating in it. When we plow the dirt, or weed and water the crops, we aren’t earning life, we’re submitting to it.
The difference is control.
The stuff we earn belongs to us and the property we buy is private – we control its movement. We’d prefer to think the same is true of gifts like forgiveness. Once we have it, it’s ours to keep. But Forgiveness can’t be owned because it isn’t a badge or a boundary – it’s a substance for carrying life, like water for the crops or blood in the body. If we don’t send it out it can’t nourish, and eventually everything withers – including us. We must give in order to receive, we must die in order to live, we must forgive in order to be forgiven.
And that takes faith.
Prayer Exercise
Set aside 15-20 minutes where you won’t be interrupted. Start by reading a favorite Psalm, singing a favorite song, or repeating the petition above from the Lord’s prayer.After you feel centered, stop and consider “forgiveness” in your life. What are the withering relationships at home, at work, with friends? Pray for each situation, asking God to show you what forgiveness and reconciliation would look like in each situation. Imagine what actions, if any, you may need to take.
clara rothenbush said...
1I often think that we stumble over forgiving because its so hard to do… we think it means we’re excusing, accepting, or even tolerating, or justifying “great” wrongs done to us. Smaller things are easier to forgive, but big things… whoa! That’s hard! Sometimes it seems impossible, especially when the other person hasn’t changed and isn’t sorry. We can make ourselves “forgive” when we see it in the Lord’s Prayer… but it’s a mental exercise and not a deep heart one. I cried out to the Lord in desperation…. “I know you want me to forgive…. but I’m so hurt I just don’t want to….help me want to!” And of course, He did. I think maybe forgiving deep hurts is a miracle, something we can’t do by ourselves… the Holy Spirit makes our heart willing…. and that’s a miracle!
01/15/10 9:29 AM | Comment Link
Ben said...
2I agree Clara – real forgiveness IS a miracle the Holy Spirit accomplishes as we place ourselves before him, just like all transformation. Good comment!
01/15/10 10:04 AM | Comment Link
Jason Coker said...
3“….help me want to!”
That in and of itself is a great prayer Clara; an acknowledgment of need, humility, dependence, and a seed of faith. Reminds me of, “I believe! Help my unbelief!”
01/15/10 10:49 AM | Comment Link
Deb Sternke said...
4I love the honesty in this statement. …of coming to God and being totally vulnerable with where you are at. And God is not surprised or shocked. He understands and is filled with compassion.
God help us to be like this with every one of our struggles….
01/15/10 2:12 PM | Comment Link