098. MAT 6:12. FORGIVENESS IMPLORED

Mat_6:12. Forgiveness Implored

"And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors."’97Mat_6:12.

Consider, I. The Debts. II. The Forgiveness. And, III. The Condition specified.

I. The Debts.

We owe to God constant allegiance, love, gratitude, &c. These we shall ever owe to him; and ought not to desire freedom from them. But we are debtors to his justice.

1. As servants or stewards.

Wasted his goods. Misapplied the talents committed to our trust. Health, time, powers of mind, opportunities, mercies, &c.

2. As transgressors of his laws.

Exposed ourselves to the dreadful penalties annexed.

Now, these debts,

(1) Are just. Not oppressive exactions. What God righteously demands.

(2) Great in number. Like mountains, clouds, sand on the seashore, hairs of our head.

(3) Constantly increasing. Every year, week, day is adding to the amount.

(4) Expose us to the most dreadful consequences. Wages of sin, death. Cast into prison. No deliverance till the uttermost farthing is paid. That prison, hell.

(5) No created being can discharge us from the consequences of them. Hence it follows, there must be punishment, or,

II. Forgiveness.

Now, the blessed Word informs us, that they may be forgiven’97all forgiven, freely, fully, and eternally forgiven. Now, observe, sins can be forgiven,

1. Only by God.

"I am he that blotteth out thy transgressions," &c.; Isa_43:25. Our debts must be forgiven,

2. Through the mediation of Christ.

Through this man is preached, &c.; Act_13:38. None other name, &c.; Act_4:12. He is the one mediator, &c.’97only way to the Father. Redemption through his blood; even forgiveness of sins; Col_1:14.

3. By repentance and faith.

"Repent and believe the gospel." Repentance, including an entire change of mind; arising from light, conviction, apprehension of danger, &c. And faith, in God’s gift, Jesus Christ, who is the true propitiatory, or mercy-seat, where we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need; Mar_1:15; Act_26:20; Joh_3:14, Joh_3:17; Rom_10:9.

Notice,

III. The Condition specified.

"As we forgive our debtors."

The sense is evidently this: that unless we forgive our debtors, we cannot be forgiven of God. This is further stated, ver. 14, 15; also, Mat_18:21; and is quite express, clear, solemn, absolute. This condition is grounded,

1. On the fitness of things.

None can owe us so much as we owe God; nor be so unworthy of our pardon, as we are of his.

2. Without this our forgiveness would be of no avail to us.

Heart not capable of appreciating it. No genuine fruit; unless we can forgive others. No conformity to God; no fitness for heaven, &c. This condition implies,

3. That we desire of God that which we award to others.

If we are therefore angry, uncharitable, implacable, &c., we desire Deity to be so to us. How fearful would be our condition, if God thus dealt with us! Mark the expression: "As" we forgive our debtors.

Application

1. How necessary that our debts be for given’97to our peace’97to a good hope’97to future salvation! 2. How essential, that we forgive others, freely and fully, as God forgiveth us!

Autor: JABEZ BURNS