“Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us”
“Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” -The Prodical son. (Luke 15:21)
“Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” -The Father of the prodical (Luke 15:23, 24)
The depth of God’s forgiveness is beyond our imagination. It comes to us by way of Jesus wrapped in His limitless compassion and love for us. In His presence we find ourselves unworthy and sinful, but we are compelled to run to God and jump into this ocean of mercy.
It is necissary for us to be forgiven. Our Father is perfect and holy and cannot tolerate sin. Therefore, to have the fellowship with God that we long for we must be washed of our sin…made holy by the blood of Jesus that was shed for us on the cross. Our sin separates us from God and holds us captive. We are unable to help ourselves…we are in bondage…trapped. So, we turn to our Creator for intervention. John describes this work when he says, “To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood…” (Revelation 1:5).
“Forgive us our trespasses…”
We must also remember that to be aware of our sin is a work of the Holy Spirit within us. This is called conviction and leads to repentance which precedes forgiveness. God, through Jesus Christ, offers forgiveness to everyone but only those who repent of their sin are able to experience that wonderful forgiveness. Repentance requires us to be aware of our sin and confess it to God and accept His loving mercy.
There is a temptation to let the awareness of our sin turn to guilt and a unhealthy view of ourselves. Repentance is not feeling that you are worthless. This is an unBiblical way of thinking. Repentance is realizing our need for God and doing what needs to be done to restore the relationship.
He forgives you because He loves you and He always has. He values you and has made it possible for you to be reconciled to Him. This is a forgiveness that is based on His love for you not on your failures. This is not about you crawling back to God on your hands and knees hoping that He will throw you a little compassion. This is about a God who has pursued you and has never sopped loving you…who patiently watches and waits for you…and who rejoices and throws a party when you respond!
This is the joy of forgiveness! This is the reward of repentance!