And forgive us our debts …
Summary: As we begin our discussion of forgiveness, it is helpful to consult the dictionary for a definition of the word “forgive.”
What does it mean to “forgive” or be “forgiven?” Do you know? The more I think about this, the more I wonder if the word “forgive” isn’t one of those sleeper words that fly under our radar. We know what the color “green” is because we can point to it. We know what a cow looks like because we can visit a farm or see a picture and recognize what makes a cow different from other animals. But nobody has “seen” forgiveness like we “see” cows.
When we talk about forgiveness, we are talking about a concept. Such concepts require abstract thinking to understand. We have to grasp the meaning of a definition and then apply it correctly. So let’s look at the word “forgive” more closely.
My 1961 edition of Webster’s Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary provides the following definitions for the word “forgive:”
1. To cease to feel resentment against (an offender) (Pardon one’s enemies)
2. (a) To give up resentment of or claim to requital for (an insult)
(b) To grant relief from payment of
Webster provides us with three situations to consider. First is the offense given by an enemy. Second, the offense is a personal slander. The third is a debt of some kind. For there to be a need for forgiveness, one of these three conditions has to be met.
What does this mean?
It means there has to be some kind of offense or debt to forgive. To “forgive” that offense or debt is to take it away.
Picture an offense or debt as a large, heavy brick. Now picture a man or woman with a sack of bricks over their shoulder. They are stooped under the load, struggling to take even a small step. The one who has been offended or owed the debt is standing by watching. To forgive the debt, the offended person takes the sack of bricks from the offender. The offender is free of their burden. They have been forgiven.
Why would someone forgive another person? Why would God forgive us? How should we respond to being forgiven? How do we forgive others?
These are the kinds of questions we need to discuss to understand what forgiveness means. It might seem a bit boring to wade through all of this, but I hope that along the path we are traveling there is enough spiritual treasure to make the trip worthwhile. If I’m not right about that, I’m hoping you will forgive me.
Application: Consider what it means to be forgiven and to forgive others.
Food for Thought: What kind of debts do we end up with in life, and where do they come from?
Sorry for going on a side trail. What if that person doesn’t think that they have a debt. That they haven’t done anything wrong, shouldn’t carry a single brick and laugh at the thought of it and tell you your bricks are at the bottom of the hill and someone threw a bunch in the river for fun.
Great question! Part of writing about a topic like this is having questions to prompt the writing, so this is good. Nothing to be sorry about.
How do we know if we are carrying bricks? When does it matter? When doesn’t it? What if we toss the bricks to the side of the road?
Each question prompts many thoughts. Let me turn it back to you:
If Person “A” offends Person “B” and then acts as if that doesn’t matter:
Q1: What do we call that kind of behavior?
Q2: Is Person “A” wise or foolish? Why?
Q3: What happens if Person “A” needs something from Person “B” in the future? (Was the debt / brick really ever gone?)
Q4: If Person “A” has acted as you suggest, how does that impact their chances of being forgiven? Does it decrease the debt or add to it?
Q5: What are the long-term impacts on both Person “A” and Person “B”?
Q1: What do we call that kind of behavior? Scoffing, prideful, deceitful, abusive, hurtful, immature, self centered, manipulative, disrespectful, sin
Q2: Is Person “A” wise or foolish? Why?
Wise in some ways by worldly definition looking out for themselves but foolish towards family and still lost.
Q3: What happens if Person “A” needs something from Person “B” in the future? (Was the debt / brick really ever gone?) I don’t know I can’t predict the future.
Q4: If Person “A” has acted as you suggest, how does that impact their chances of being forgiven? Does it decrease the debt or add to it?
It hinders the chances in a way it might increase the debt at least it makes it seem like it doesn’t matter about the debt.
Q5: What are the long-term impacts on both Person “A” and Person “B”?
Separation of a relationship, a conflict in a family, bitterness possibly.
Well done!
Your answer to the fifth question is a good summation of almost all problems suffered by the human race. Thankfully, God’s love provides a way to heal bitterness, resolve conflict, and restore relationships.
Well, my wife and I just got done with a small kitchen remodel. I had enough saved up for the contractor, then when came time for demo, they found that the water pipes were coming through the floor. Code today is to have them come through the walls. House was built in 1911, 70 year old galvanized pipes. The plumber that the contractor had come in wound up breaking the pipe while working at rerouting the old ones through the wall. He ended up just walking off the job, I had to go and turn off the water from the meter. Anyway, I had to hire a plumber to re-pipe our house and that debt came in over $15,000.00 that we were not expecting, so I am in debt now but have cleaner water coming into the house and much better flow. So sometimes debt can come out of nowhere and unexpectedly
The only way I can forgive this debt is by paying it off a little at a time. But we are probably talking about sin and not finances, but debt is something owed.
Christ didn’t owe it to me to get up on that cross and forgive me of my sin or anyone else for that matter. Who can repay that?
It would be nice to be forgiven of the debt that was unseen, but as it is I am thankful I have the credit to be in debt,..
I hope you can forgive me if I am wrong in answering the question
John,
Sorry to hear about your unexpected expense! Yet it sounds like it is one of those ‘blessings in disguise.’ Hopefully the debt is paid off soon.
You make a great point about Christ not having any obligation to do what he did. At least not on our account. Yet he did what he did. Not only did he redo the plumbing but he built us a whole new mansion in heaven. (John 14:2 – KJV)
There are many debts from financial, to favors, to the spiritual. The spiritual is probably the one of greatest issue here.
We all have debt as a result of sin – and the consequences are severe. Romans 3: 23; Romans 6: 23a.
There is only one solution. Acts 4: 12; John 14: 6; Colossians 2: 13 – 15. The solution is given as a gift that we must receive. Romans 6: 23b; Ephesians 2: 8 – 9.
To not be willing to receive the gift is either a reaction of not realizing the seriousness of our debt, unbelief, or pride (amongst I am sure other possible reasons). The point being we have a need and there is a solution. Only one.
Nicely said, Rich!
Our spiritual need is indeed THE need!
Thank you Rich!
01-02-2023, What kind of debts do we end up with in life, and where do they come from?
As Christians, we are debtors to God because He paid for us a debt we were unable to pay ourselves. God paid the debt for our sins by sacrificing His own Son, and we became positionally righteous. Imperfect beings serving our perfect God. Although we are indebted to Him, God declares there is NO CONDEMNATION for us in Christ
Romans 5:6-8;1 Peter 1:18-19, Romans 8:1-3
“Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groaning’s which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God” Romans 8:26-27
Yes, I am indebted to our Triune God because He paid the price for my sin which I could not. I live knowing today I have the Holy Spirit to convict, teach, and empower me to overcome my nature. I rejoice as God continues to give to me and has always has my interests at heart as He brings me closer to Him in His righteousness.
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Romans 8:31-32
Thanks Ron!
I think my favorite part is the line about the Holy Spirit being given to us to “convict, teach, and empower.” So true!
He makes everyday better!
Blessings Brother,
Ron