LORD’S DAY 51
Q. 126. Which is the fifth petition?
A. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors;1 that is, be pleased for the sake of Christ’s blood, not to impute to us poor sinners our transgressions, nor that depravity which always cleaves to us;2 even as we feel this evidence of Thy grace in us, that it is our firm resolution from the heart to forgive our neighbor.3 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors;1 that is, be pleased for the sake of Christ’s blood, not to impute to us poor sinners our transgressions, nor that depravity which always cleaves to us;2 even as we feel this evidence of Thy grace in us, that it is our firm resolution from the heart to forgive our neighbor.3
- Mat. 6:12.
- Psa. 51:1. 1 John 2:1, 2.
- Mat. 6:14, 15.
LORD’S DAY 51
Prayer for Forgiveness
1. What is the fifth petition of the Lord’s Prayer?
“And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors”; that is, be pleased not to impute to us poor sinners, our transgressions. Psalm 51:1.
2. Why do we speak of sins as debts?
The justice of God demands that payment be made for every one of our sins; and since we cannot ourselves pay for a single sin, we soon have a mountain of debt before God.
3. But are not we asking God in the fifth petition to forgive our debts without payment being made?
Not at all, but we ask forgiveness for the sake of Christ, who through His death on the cross has made payment for our sins. Romans 5:9-11; I Timothy 2:5, 6.
4. Do we ask God to forgive only our actual sins?
No, we also ask Him to forgive the depravity of our natures which always cleaves to us. Romans 7:23, 24.
5. What evidence of God’s grace do we feel in us when we experience the forgiveness of sins?
A firm resolution from the heart to forgive our neighbor. Matthew 6:14, 15.
6. Can we be assured of forgiveness if we do not forgive others?
No, for Jesus emphasizes in the fifth petition that God gives us the grace of forgiveness only as we forgive one another. Matthew 18:23-35; 6:14, 15.