FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS - The Lord's Prayer - Part 6
Perdónanos Nuestras Deudas. - La Oración de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo - Parte 6
by
Mary Hunt Webb
Posted Monday, February 29, 2016
When we think of "debt", most people think of money, but a "debt" is a shortcoming that can also be defined as "sin", as we will see in today's inspiration. [Photographer: Val Lawless. Photo courtesy of Stockvault.net.]
Our Father, which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day, our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Have you ever heard someone say something like, "I'll never forgive him for what he did!"? Most of us have. However, in this portion of the Lord's Prayer, we are asking the Lord to forgive us our sins, shortcomings and offenses in the same way that we forgive others.
Depending on the translation of the Bible that you are reading, this part of the Lord's Prayer may use a word other than "debt" to express the obligation that arises in our interaction with others. The New Living Translation and the International Standard Version both say, "forgive us our sins". When I translate the Lord's Prayer into American Sign Language for people that cannot hear, I use the word "sin" instead of "debt" and "sinner" instead of "debtor". The word "sin" is easier to understand across cultural differences.
It's interesting that most of us want the Lord and others to forgive us when we make mistakes, but we are not always willing to forgive those that offend us. However, in Matthew 6:14-15, Jesus advised, "14) For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15) But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." (New International Version) That is the heart of this part of the Lord's Prayer. We must forgive others if we expect to be forgiven.
Jesus elaborated on this again when He told us in Matthew 7:12 that we are to treat others in the same way that we want them to treat us. He said it this way: "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." (New International Version) When you hear someone mention the Golden Rule, they are referring to this teaching. Thus, when we forgive others, we are applying the lesson that Jesus taught.
Life experience has taught me that unforgiveness does not harm the person that created the offense. It only harms the person that does not forgive because he must keep track of it and remember it. Meanwhile, the person that needs forgiving has probably forgotten the situation that caused resentment. I once heard someone say, "Don't allow such offenders to live rent free in your mind!"
When someone offends me, I have to repeatedly remind myself that I must forgive that person for my own sake rather than for his or hers. That is because resentment is like a poison that can build up in the body to tense the muscles. It can become a physical ailment that can lead to health problems. Forgiveness is like an internal cleanser that cleanses the mind in much the same way that hand washing removes contaminants from the hands. Ultimately, it can relax the muscles as well.
In that respect, this portion of the Lord's Prayer deals as much with daily health as the previous section did in requesting food for each day. Psalm 103:2-3 connects forgiveness with health when it says, "2) Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits - 3) who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases."
When we forgive, our hearts are light. Proverbs 17:22 tells us that, "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." (New International Version)
Forgiveness cleanses the mind in much the same way that hand washing removes contaminants from the hands. [Photographer: Geoffrey Whiteway. Photo courtesy of Stockvault.net.]
BIBLE VERSES FOR THIS POSTING
Matthew 6:12 — And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. (New International Version)
Mateo 6:12 — Y perdónanos nuestras deudas, como también nosotros perdonamos a nuestros deudores. (Reina-Valera 1960)
Matthew 6:14-15 — 14) For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15) But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. (New International Version)
Mateo 6:14-15 — 14 ) Porque si perdonáis a los hombres sus ofensas, os perdonará también a vosotros vuestro Padre celestial; 15) mas si no perdonáis a los hombres sus ofensas, tampoco vuestro Padre os perdonará vuestras ofensas. (Reina-Valera 1960)
Matthew 7:12 — So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. (New International Version)
Mateo 7:12 — Así que, todas las cosas que queráis que los hombres hagan con vosotros, así también haced vosotros con ellos; porque esto es la ley y los profetas. (Reina-Valera 1960)
Psalm 103:2-3 — 2) Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits – 3) who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases. (New International Version)
Salmo 103:2-3 — 2) Bendice, alma mía, a Jehová, Y no olvides ninguno de sus beneficios. 3) El es quien perdona todas tus iniquidades, El que sana todas tus dolencias; (Reina-Valera 1960)
Proverbs 17:22 — A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. (New International Version)
Proverbios 17:22 — El corazón alegre constituye buen remedio; Mas el espíritu triste seca los huesos. (Reina-Valera 1960)
"When we forgive, our hearts are light." (NIV) [Photographer: DF Nature Awed. Photo courtesy of Stockvault.net.]
