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The Model Prayer (Part Seven): Forgive Us Our Debts
Bible Study by Richard T. RitenbaughIn the Model Prayer, Jesus includes a request for forgiveness, emphasizing its importance with additional commentary. He states that if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. This instruction underscores the plea to forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors, highlighting the severe implications of seeking forgiveness while withholding it from those who have wronged us. As God freely forgives despite grievous sins against Him, He expects His elect to show mercy to others. The verb tenses in this request indicate that one asks God to forgive as they have already forgiven others, suggesting that ongoing forgiveness carries a condition: if we fail to reciprocate forgiveness, God may withhold His mercy from us. The Greek word for forgive, aphiēmi, carries various meanings such as to send off, release, let go, or let be. In Scripture, it often implies leaving or setting aside, and in both secular and religious contexts, it means to remit or pardon, describing a release from obligation. When God forgives, the debt is wholly removed, never to be revisited; it is laid aside, left behind, let go, and left alone. This same complete release should characterize human forgiveness. Jesus phrases the request to forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors, emphasizing the personal aspect of forgiveness. It is not merely a legal transaction but a means to reconciliation. While remitting a debt on a business level is real, it lacks impact on the relationship. God desires not just forgiveness but the restoration of peaceful, harmonious interactions, as He has reconciled us to Him through Christ's blood. Jesus further illustrates forgiveness in the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, teaching that there is no limit to how often we should forgive a brother for trespasses against us. He insists on boundless compassion, mirroring the Father's forgiveness of our many sins. If one refuses to forgive even a small debt, they face severe consequences, as God will do likewise to those who do not forgive from their heart. Forgiving one another is a necessary step to restoring relationships and living in peace, reflecting God's outgoing concern toward us.
An Incredible Debt
Sermonette by Ryan McClureBecause all people have sinned, we must all emulate the gratitude displayed by the woman who sacrificed the expensive alabaster bottle of fragrance for Christ.
Parable of the Two Debtors
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsJust as we have been forgiven a huge, unpayable debt, so must we extend forgiveness to those who owe us, showing that we appreciate what has been done for us.
Forgiveness and the Perpetual Covenant of Peace
Sermon by Mark SchindlerIt is commonly thought that we pay no price for forgiveness, yet Scripture shows that God gives us significant responsibilities to be a part of His family.
An Unpayable Debt and Obligation
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughWhen God calls us and redeems us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we suddenly come under obligation—a debt we cannot pay but overshadows all we do.
Debt and Obligation
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe live in a time when people have acquired a weak sense of obligation to family, society, or nation. Because sin cannot be undone, all are debtors to God.
Sins in the Balance (Part Two)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeThe Bible is full of commands to forgive and examples of forgiveness, and none of them stipulates that we wait for the sinner to repent before we forgive.
Sins in the Balance (Part One)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeForgiveness is not a feeling that washes over us, but a conscious choice. It does not mean that the offense will never come to mind, nor that all the pain vanishes.
The Prisoners
Sermonette by Austin Del Castillo'To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.' Forgiving and being forgiven are part of being a family.
The Gifts We've Been Given
Sermonette by Ryan McClureThe gift of the Holy Spirit, leading to an intimate relationship with God, eternal life in the God family as called out firstfruits, is priceless.
Just What is Mercy?
Sermonette by Clyde FinkleaIt is impossible to become perfect without having mercy or compassion. Jesus' command to become perfect includes showing compassion to our enemies.
The Year of Release
Sermonette by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The land Sabbath is a type of the weekly Sabbath, wherein the land is given time to regenerate, and all debts (and grudges) are forgiven and slaves set free.
New Covenant Priesthood (Part Ten)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughOur obligation toward God mandates that we love our fellow human beings, even individuals who have severely wronged us.
Matthew (Part Twenty-Five)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJesus contrasts the enormity of what we are forgiven to what we forgive others. Our forgiveness is directly connected with our forgiveness of our brother.
The Shemitah: God's Year of Release
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeBecause we have spurned God's years of release, we have reaped a whirlwind of curses, including crop failure and devastating stock market crashes.
Teach Us To Pray! (Part Two)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsPrayer should be a major practice in our life and bring us into contact with God's creative purpose, indicating to Him that we will yield to His purpose.
How Do the Land Sabbath and Jubilee Years Work (Leviticus 25)?
Bible Questions & AnswersAfter seven cycles of sabbatical years, a total of 49 years, the fiftieth year was proclaimed a jubilee. The land was to rest from cultivation.
Lessons From a Sandpile
Commentary by David C. GrabbeInspired by a sandpile, physicists developed a computer model to simulated the critical juncture when a single grain of sand would cause an avalanche.