"The Act of Forgiveness"

Luke 11:1-4 is known as the Lord's prayer or the “model prayer.” I want to look at verse 4 “And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us.”

This petition is not only an explicit prayer for forgiveness of our own sins, but also for a forgiving spirit toward those who sin against us, “for we also forgive every one who is indebted to us.” 

 Jesus is telling us that we not only seek forgiveness, but that we practice forgiveness. Some may say, “Why is this in the model prayer?” Because the recognition of our own sin and need for forgiveness is essential to being able to forgive others. If we are sincere when we pray, “Forgive us our sins,” then we are openly admitting ourselves as guilty of wrongdoing. It is the same grace we are shown by our Father for our own sins that we are enabled to extend to those who hurt us, and without the help of the Father, you will not be able to forgive! 

We sometimes say we can’t forgive, but what we really mean is we won’t forgive. Ray Stedman tells the story of one man’s explanation for his lack of forgiveness. He said, “A man once said to me, ‘I know I’m a Christian, but someone once did an awful thing to me – something I just can’t forget or forgive.’ I replied, ‘Are you sure you can’t forgive him?’ He maintained that he had really tried to forgive this man, but was unable to do so. As we continued talking, I said, ‘I know, I have found that we often use the word can’t what we really mean is won’t. Isn’t possible that what you are saying is not, “I can’t forgive him,’ but ‘I won’t forgive him?’ If it is really true that you cannot forgive this man, then it indicates that you yourself have never been forgiven, and you are only kidding yourself about being a Christian.’ This shook him a bit. He thought it through, and then, with a rather sheepish grin, he said, ‘I guess you’re right. I guess I won’t.’ It wasn’t long before he came to me and reported with joy that he had finally forgiven the man who had injured him.”

How can we expect God to forgive us for our own sins, to readily extend mercy and grace whenever we call out to him, when we refuse to do the same for others? May we recognize the need for forgiveness and for a forgiving spirit in our lives.