40 DAYS OF PRAYER: DAY 18
Gods Mercy
Matthew 6:12 ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
Forgiveness is a huge deal. We ask God to forgive us for sins that we commit, as well as sins of omission, meaning things that we know we should have done, but did not. But there is a condition on forgiveness according to this verse. God will indeed forgive us, as much as we have forgiven others. God is merciful and extends grace to us every day. But if we refuse to forgive others, how arrogant are we to expect God to forgive us?
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Psalms 103:11-13 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.
Hebrews 8:12 “For I will be merciful to their iniquities, And I will remember their sins no more.”
SIN- What is sin? There are 5 Greek words that talk about sin in the New Testament.
Slipping and falling (thats unintentional sin)
Missing the mark (As an arrow would miss the intended target)
Stepping across the line (intentionally sinning)
Lawlessness and open rebellion against God
And then the word used in our text today, referring to a spiritual debt to God.
Jesus tells an amazing parable that fits this concept perfectly (of coarse its perfect, Jesus told it).
Matthew 18:25-35 But since he did not have the means to repay, his lord commanded him to be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment to be made. So the slave fell to the ground and prostrated himself before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.’ And the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt. But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and he seized him and began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay back what you owe.’ So his fellow slave fell to the ground and began to plead with him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you.’ But he was unwilling and went and threw him in prison until he should pay back what was owed. So when his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were deeply grieved and came and reported to their lord all that had happened. Then summoning him, his lord *said to him, ‘You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?’ And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him. My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.”
Jesus is pretty clear here, God will NOT show mercy to the merciless. There are times that we are unaware of our sins. We must in humility, consistently ask God to show us where we have sinned.
Psalms 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.
I heard someone say it this way once. God help me see the sin and anxieties in my heart, forgive me and help me understand what my salvation truly means. That means we need to be having continuous conversations with God. But remember that conversation isn’t just about you talking, you need to listen as well. Let the Holy Spirit reveal the acts of disobedience, bitterness or unresolved issues. We are human, sin is in our nature, but as we mature in Christ, the sins we commit should be less, and we should become sensitive to what sin is. So, again, what is sin? Simply, disobedience to God. It is sin that separates us from God, sin destroys friendships and families.
Forgiveness is a must if we want restoration at all levels.
It may even start with you forgiving yourself...
Prayed for you all this morning!
Much love and blessings, Pastor Scott