Forgive Us Our Debts
Minister: |
Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: |
1/10/2010 AM
|
Text:
|
Psalm 51;
Lord's Day 51
|
Psalters: |
391, 337, 140, 83 |
- The wonder.
- The truth of the forgiveness of sins is essential to every child of God, both objectively and subjectively.
- The gospel is the good news that God has wiped out our sins and has given us righteousness.
- He did not make it possible for us to pay them in full, but He paid the whole thing, to the last penny.
- O the bliss of this glorious thought: that not the part, but the whole of my sins are nailed to the cross.
- The prayer requesting forgiveness always implies confession, the admission of our sin and sinfulness.
- In instructing us to confess our sins and guilt Jesus teaches that God?s children know they are sinners.
- To appreciate forgiveness we must truly understand the reality and depth of that for which we are forgiven.
- Luke 11:4 speaks of ?sins,? i.e., any human activity which misses the mark of God?s glory.
- Matthew 6:12 speaks of ?debts,? because every sin incurs guilt and makes us justly worthy of punishment.
- This petition must be in the spirit of a confession, not an abstract, general notion of sin.
- An honest confession arises from a deep sensitivity that we sin against love, against our Father.
- True apology consists of the admission of sin unaccompanied.
- The request to be forgiven is our asking God to wipe out so they cannot be seen anymore (Psalm 51:4).
- Only God can forgive, because all sin is essentially against Him.
- The only way God can erase sin is by its debt being paid.
- Sins are forgiven only by atonement, i.e., satisfaction of God righteousness.
- Forgiveness also includes the positive blessing of righteousness.
- This petition every child of God wants to pray and must pray.
- We do not pray for the atonement, for ?It is finished,? but for the application of the atonement.
- God declares forgiveness only to those who sincerely confess and continually repent!