Forgive Us Our Debts
Minister: |
Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: |
1/18/2015 PM
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Text:
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Psalm 51;
Lord's Day 51
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Psalters: |
409, 365, 142, 83 |
- To appreciate forgiveness we must truly understand the reality and depth of that for which we are forgiven.
- When we request forgiveness it is because we are aware of what we have done to our Father.
- 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 worthy of punishment.
- This petition must be in the spirit of a confession, not an abstract, general notion of sin.
- True apology consists of the admission of sin unaccompanied by excuses, reasons, or "buts."
- 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; God cannot just forget sin, but He must forgive it.
- Only the Son of God could bear God's eternal and infinite wrath (II Cor. 5: 19) and do so in perfect loving obedience.
- Forgiveness also includes the positive blessing of righteousness.
- This petition every child of God wants to pray and must pray.
- The wonder of being forgiven.
- Through the means of prayer God gives His grace and Spirit, which is the application of the atonement.
- He assures sinners of forgiveness and right relationship: "thy sins are forgiven thee" (Matt. 9:2,5).
- Then we know the gospel of free, sovereign grace.
- “Being justified by faith we have peace with God" (Rom. 5:1). "There is ... no condemnation to them .. in Christ" (Rom. 8:1).
- O the bliss of this glorious thought: that not the part, but the whole of my sins are nailed to the cross.