Today's Reading: Matthew 6: 9-15
K E Y V E R S E S:
"and for give us our debts, as we also have for given our debtors." Mt6:11
This word 'debts' can be translated as 'sin' or 'trespass' but literally means 'that which is owed'. In our modern culture of mortgages, loans and credit cards, sometimes debt doesn't seem like a huge deal, but in first century Judeathe penalty for debt was severe, often resulting in imprisonment. A few verses later, Jesus says:
"For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but i f you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses" Mt 6:14-15
Jesus is clearly talking about forgiveness and repentance, these are very sobering words, "if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your father forgive your trespasses" God's debt-cancelling service is activated by the forgiveness of others.
Daily we need to examine our hearts not only for the things that we have done wrong, but also for the offenses or 'debts' we may be holding against others. We can't approach the father asking for forgiveness if we aren't prepared to forgive what others have done to us.
We have been forgiven so much by Jesus, there isn't a day goes by when I don't do something to that dishonours Him or grieves his heart, but daily I need to come before the cross and say I'm sorry. My sin sent Jesus to the cross, as the song says "it was my sin that held Him there". When I grasp the consequences of my actions and that Jesus chose to forgive, then I cannot hold anything against another.
ACTION STEPS
• Let us examine our hearts for both the things we have done wrong and for the things we are holding against others and spend a time with God saying sorry.