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Reciprocal Forgiveness
Jesus’ instructions on praying for forgiveness in Luke 11:4 are two-fold.
On the one hand, we are to pray for our own forgiveness knowing that absolution is assured for those who belong to Him and seek Him with contrite (remorseful) hearts. (Isaiah 43:25; 1 John 1:9) But coupled with seeking our personal forgiveness is the caveat that we must also forgive those who have wronged us.
The first part is easy; it’s that second part that usually gives us trouble. Nevertheless, it is what God requires. After all, He forgave us when we were still His enemies, did He not? (Daniel 9:9) He even went so far as to pay the sin “debt” we owed with the life of His Son! (Romans 5:8)
It is illogical – if not utterly selfish – for us to expect God to forgive us of our own sins if we are not willing to forgive others in kind. (Matthew 6:14-15; Mark 11:25)
About this Plan
When all we do is memorize and repeat Scripture for Scripture’s sake – as in the case of the Lord’s Prayer – without ever revisiting or reanalyzing it, we risk losing the context and real-life application of God’s Word. This 7-day study aims to take a much closer look at Jesus’ words and intent in Luke 11:1-4.
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