METAMORA PATTER'S NEWSPAPER COLUMN
Mark 11:25
And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. (KJV)
The Bible is pretty clear on what we ought to do and what we ought not to do. Did you ever give much thought to those "oughts"? Jesus does. He says you 'ought' not to pray if you have any grudge or feeling of resentment against another person. He makes it quite clear that if we expect our Heavenly Father to forgive us our sins, we must, not 'should', we must forgive all other people their sins.
We have a perfect example in Jesus Christ Himself. When hanging from the Cross he prayed this prayer:
Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. (KJV)
I believe Jesus prayed this prayer for the people and not because he was concerned about having 'ought' against the ones responsible for His crucifixion. I also believe that is part of the reason we are to pray for those whom we may have ought against. Often times we think we have been wronged and since that person did not admit to their 'wrongdoing' we fail to forgive them. That is not good for them or for us.
Peter asked a valid question when he asked the Lord how many times he was to forgive someone the sins that were committed against him. He thought seven times would be sufficient, but the Lord told him he was to forgive them seventy times seven. That is 490 times. This seems like a lot of times to forgive the same person but perhaps the point is that if that person has anyone who has a problem with him, it should not be us. If any man or woman goes to Hell or gets in trouble with God, I pray it not be my finger that is pointed at him or her.
This is the Season for Giving. I believe we should make it a 'Season Forgiving'. As we go about our hours and days leading up to the Birthday of Jesus, let's make a decision to pray for and to forgive anyone whom we may have or have had a problem with. This should also apply to us. There is not a one of us who has not erred from the path of righteousness and who needs the forgiveness that comes from God alone. When or if we have a problem forgiving ourselves, let us always remember that God is not holding anything against us. But we do need to ask Him for His forgiveness. Although He knows what our needs are before we ask, it is still imperative that we ask.
Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to read this column. I consider myself blessed to have this open door of opportunity to talk to you about our common faith. Please allow the words you read to enter into your hearts and minds and please let them do their special work in your life. Do not be hurt by the deeds of others, and do not let your deeds hurt you or them. Our loving heavenly Father cares about us all. Let's celebrate the 'Forgiving Season'.
And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. (KJV)
The Bible is pretty clear on what we ought to do and what we ought not to do. Did you ever give much thought to those "oughts"? Jesus does. He says you 'ought' not to pray if you have any grudge or feeling of resentment against another person. He makes it quite clear that if we expect our Heavenly Father to forgive us our sins, we must, not 'should', we must forgive all other people their sins.
We have a perfect example in Jesus Christ Himself. When hanging from the Cross he prayed this prayer:
Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. (KJV)
I believe Jesus prayed this prayer for the people and not because he was concerned about having 'ought' against the ones responsible for His crucifixion. I also believe that is part of the reason we are to pray for those whom we may have ought against. Often times we think we have been wronged and since that person did not admit to their 'wrongdoing' we fail to forgive them. That is not good for them or for us.
Peter asked a valid question when he asked the Lord how many times he was to forgive someone the sins that were committed against him. He thought seven times would be sufficient, but the Lord told him he was to forgive them seventy times seven. That is 490 times. This seems like a lot of times to forgive the same person but perhaps the point is that if that person has anyone who has a problem with him, it should not be us. If any man or woman goes to Hell or gets in trouble with God, I pray it not be my finger that is pointed at him or her.
This is the Season for Giving. I believe we should make it a 'Season Forgiving'. As we go about our hours and days leading up to the Birthday of Jesus, let's make a decision to pray for and to forgive anyone whom we may have or have had a problem with. This should also apply to us. There is not a one of us who has not erred from the path of righteousness and who needs the forgiveness that comes from God alone. When or if we have a problem forgiving ourselves, let us always remember that God is not holding anything against us. But we do need to ask Him for His forgiveness. Although He knows what our needs are before we ask, it is still imperative that we ask.
Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to read this column. I consider myself blessed to have this open door of opportunity to talk to you about our common faith. Please allow the words you read to enter into your hearts and minds and please let them do their special work in your life. Do not be hurt by the deeds of others, and do not let your deeds hurt you or them. Our loving heavenly Father cares about us all. Let's celebrate the 'Forgiving Season'.
posted by Metamora Patter at 12/13/2006 11:57:00 PM
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