SIXTH PRINCIPLE OF PRAYER
The Condition of
Forgiveness
(Matthew 6: 12, 14, 15; Mark 11:25; Luke 11: 4)
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ear Friends, we are
to understand that to make prayer effective, there are certain conditions to be
fulfilled. Here is a primary one: We must
pray in a spirit of forgiveness. To make sure we understand this essential
rule of prayer, we must consider what
is meant by forgiveness and what is meant by sin.
Sin is separation or
estrangement from God and is the chief obstacle that must be overcome in
prayer. In Aramatic, the language in
which Jesus taught the people, the same word is used to mean both sin and
death. The debt for our sin is what we
owe to God and cannot pay.
The significance of this metaphor of debt is that just
as a debt can be cancelled so that it ceases to exist, so Jesus taught that
sin’s record and power can be abolished by forgiveness. When we forgive or cancel a debt, there is no
bebt left; likewise, when we forgive an offense, there remains no offense.
Jesus’ teaching that
sin can be abolished by forgiveness comprises two ways of looking at the same
truth. The first aspect of forgiveness
is the action or attitude of God toward the sinner; the second is the
consequence of that attitude to the sinner.
God is always ready
to forgive! First, on the fulfillment of
one simple condition (confession). He cancels or abolishes our sin. By forgiving it, He renders it nonexistent,
just as a debt ceases to exist after it has been cancelled by payment. Hallelujah!
But second, there is
a universal law that becomes incumbent upon the forgiven one: We must forgive
as well. Fullest forgiveness only flows
when it is put into operation by the fulfillment of this condition: Forgive those who have wronged you. The way to forgive is to heed Jesus’ teaching
in Matthew 18:21-35. As we contemplate the fullness of forgiveness
shown us, and as we allow the Holy Spirit to flow that loving, releasing
attitude through our souls, we will be filled with the spirit of forgiveness
and enabled to forgive as we are called to do.
Playwright Janet Irene Thomas
Founder/Chairman/CEO
Bible Stories Theatre of
Fine & Performing Arts
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