SEEK & GAIN FORGIVENESS

 SEEK & GAIN FORGIVENESS

“And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, They have their reward. But you, when you pray, enter into your room. And shutting your door, pray to your Father in secret; and your Father who sees in secret shall reward you openly. But when you pray, do not babble vain words, as the nations. For they think that in their much speaking they shall be heard. Therefore do not be like them, for your Father knows what things you have need of, before you ask Him. Therefore pray in this way: Our Father, who is 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 also forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil. For Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” [MKJV Mt.6:5:15]

  Matthew6:5-15 is the model prayer the Lord gave to His followers. Among its significant points there is the us-compared-to-them, Christ follower versus religious fan, fact.

  God is willing, able and ready to forgive each and every human being, but the forgiveness cannot take place until we are willing to repent, seek His forgiveness, and accept it without any of our conditions or suppositions: God’s forgiveness being conditional upon our forgiveness given; the way to and maintenance of fellowship, there being no other way before God.

Leslie Nivens (12/12/1928-3/1/2020)