“And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors”

Matthew 6:12
Forgiveness is where the rubber meets the road on our faith journey. It is here that the hunt for God’s Love, Covenant, Grace, and Church come home. Just as love is where we begin, the circle cannot be completed without embracing the implications of our own response to the truth of God. Do we really believe in the forgiveness of sins? Our theology is incomplete until the answer coming from our heart is yes. We really mean two things when we ask this question. First, do you believe that God can forgive your sins? Second, do you believe that you can forgive others?    

 The truth is that it is not easy to believe. There is a place for guilt that moves us to repentance, but faith that does not believe that God can forgive them even when they turn to Christ is futile. It is this unhealthy view of God that tormented the great reformer Martin Luther before he was awakened to the truth of grace. About faith he said, “No article of faith is harder to believe.” Accepting God’s forgiveness is a matter of trusting in God’s love and the efficacy of the Cross. Without it we are hopelessly condemned.  

As the Apostle Paul wrote, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Forgiveness of sins directly touches us and comes into our experience.

 To be forgiven is one thing, to forgive is another matter altogether. There is no greater expression of God’s love that we can give repeatedly than to forgive. This is what makes the Church, as Ekklesia, so radically different than all other human bonds. It is the fellowship of those who have both been forgiven and are forgiving one another. Is it by coincidence that Christ taught his disciples to pray, “and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:12)? It is just as necessary in our lives as daily food. In forgiving others we are giving an opportunity for transformation and reconciliation. Thus, it is hear where all other aspects of God’s nature and mission shine forth from his people. To forgive those who have wronged us requires the Holy Spirit to be active in our hearts.  

Today’s Christians are confronting new challenges living in a Post-Christian world. How one answers contemporary questions of the church must be met with responses consistent with God’s Love, Covenant, Grace, Fellowship, and Forgiveness. The transforming power of Jesus Christ must be conveyed in a Spirit of love and kindness, or it is no longer Christian. The Christian life is not written in stone. It is moved by the love of God working in us through his Spirit. Walking with God has to do with being in relationship with God through Christ. It is not a simple matter of doing God’s will. It is abiding with God in love. Here and only here is the will of God fulfilled. Thus, expanding our practice of forgiveness deepens our faith and communion with God. Like food for the body, we need to receive and give forgiveness daily.