LEARNING DAILY

Matthew 6:9-10, “In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

In this heavenly prayer, Pastor Ed Newton has directed us to God as our Father, our King, our Provider, and now, as our Forgiver. Pastor Newton reminded us that when we said yes to the salvation that God gives us through Jesus Christ, He forgave all of our sins – past, present, and future. I think Believers need to be reminded of that from time to time. Romans 3:23 is a verse that tells us, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. But continue on to the next verse, “being justified freely by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus”. “Nothing unclean gets into heaven”, declared Pastor Newton, “but because of the faith placed in Jesus Christ death on a cross and His resurrection, faith declares Believers righteous, not guilty for all sin committed!” That is certainly a reason for every Believer to be thankful each and every day!

Pastor spoke about 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us of all unrighteousness”. If you have read this blog for very long, you will know I write about this verse from time to time. Pastor Newton shared his thoughts better than I have in the past. He said, “John is writing to Christians; he is writing about relationship and not salvation. This is about taking responsibility for the sin we continue to commit as [Believers] walk the narrow way. God forgives before we ask, but when we admit to doing something wrong, it eliminates the distance the wrongdoing creates with our heavenly Father and creates a close relationship with Him.” Pastor Newton made the following statement that I want you to remember. “I (use your own name) still battle with sin. The devil calls me a sinner. But I must recognize who I am; I am not a sinner. I am a forgiven and free son/daughter of God who is justified by grace!”

The forgiveness given to believers by our heavenly Father needs to be extended to others. I must confess this is an area I need to work on. There are those who have done what I consider wrong to me and/or my family. After listening to this message, I have had to forgive some people. What about you? Matthew 18:33 asks an important question, “Should you not also have compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?” Jesus asked that question, and I believe He is still asking it. Believers have been forgiven much and because of that are called to forgive much. That forgiveness by Believers needs to flow from their heart.  

Forgiveness is necessary. “Every person has owed a debt they could never repay, but grace paid it” (Pastor Newton). I pray that each person reading this will grasp that! Every Believer has the responsibility to “worship, to be devoted, and to be obedient for this forgiveness” (Pastor Newton). “As Jesus went through the beatings, being spit on and mocked, having a crown of thorns pushed down on His brow, and being nailed to the cross, He forgave those doing this” (Pastor Newton).

Pastor Newton concluded by saying, “Forgiveness is not a feeling – it is a choice. It includes giving the situation to God, asking Him to help Believers to release it and/or the person to Him in order for us to move forward in our walk with Him. Giving the situation or person to Him gives us freedom in Jesus’ name and brings healing to the one doing the forgiving. “My sin was great! But God’s forgiveness is greater! His mercy is new every day!” (Pastor Newton). I certainly can relate to that!