In His Name Devotionals
SIN
In His Name Devotionals
SIN
“And forgive us our debts.” (Matthew 6:12 NKJV)
Christians struggle with sin, too. As a child of God matures in Christ, the frequency of sinning decreases while sensitivity to it increases. That doesn’t mean a Christian is more easily tempted, but that a child of God is more aware of the subtleties of sin—that it dishonors God.
Some think a Christian should never confess sin or seek forgiveness, but the Lord instructed to do so when He said to pray, “And forgive us our debts” (Matt 6:12).
John wrote, “If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us” (1 John 1:8-10). That passage teaches that Christians confess their sins; unbelievers don’t.
The phrase “forgive us” in Matthew 6:12, implies the need for forgiveness. “Debts” is a word used to speak of a moral or monetary debt. Here it refers to sins. When you sin, God is owed a “debt” because His holiness has been violated. Yes, Jesus Christ paid that “debt” for you on the cross, but God still requires repentance.
“Those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives...He disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness” (Hebrews 12:6, 10).
If you are harboring sin, pray to God and confess it, allowing Almighty God to cleanse you and use you for His glory.
