“Forgiving As An Action!”

“Forgiving As An Action!”(Mt.6:9-15)[20/11/24].
The Lord Jesus Christ was teaching about prayer and ended with *”This, then is how you should pray:” He then gave the words of what has come to be called, “The Lord’s Prayer.” The prayer should better be called, “The Disciples’ Prayer” because it was meant as a model for the disciples.
After having taught them how to pray he concluded: “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
Basing on these conclusive words of Jesus we take exception to this particular content of the prayer: “Forgive us our debts [trespasses/sins], as we also have forgiven our debtors [those who have trespassed against us/those who have sinned against us].
We read or study or learn other disciplines, but we “do ttheology” because it is an action discipline. Unfortunately our God-talk is more like recitation or an abstraction. That is why we can on a daily basis say, “forgive us our trespasses as we have forgiven those who trespassed against us” without having forgiven anybody.
In this life we attract what we radiate. When we do not forgive those who have wronged us, we should not expect to be forgiven by those we too have wronged. The Golden rule applies to the act of forgiveness.
Above all, do not expect God to give you what you have refused to give to others. There is just one way by which to know how genuine my “I have forgiven you” is. The genuineness of my pronouncement of forgiveness should be seen in my actions towards you. However, the wound may heal, but the scar remains. But scars do not hurt, so don’t forgive and not forget!
Prayer: Holy Spirit teach us to be more practical in forgiving rather than merely reciting forgiveness. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.