“Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”
(Matthew 6:11-12)
I–It Speaks Of Food -“Give us this day our daily bread." A petition requesting for our own daily needs. We are here taught to acknowledge our ENTIRE DEPENDENCE on God for the supply of our daily necessities. We are acknowledging that God is our Sustainer and Provider, as opposed to the misconception that we provide for our need ourselves. We are also showing that we trust God DAILY to provide what he knows we need. The source of bread is more important than the bread itself. But he answered and said, It is written, "man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4).
Bread is a staple food every day and is needed daily – Christ is necessary for life. Rich or poor, young and old, bread is for everyone – Jesus is available to all who want Him. Bread satisfies a hungry stomach – Christ satisfies a longing heart. As the manna is gathered daily – our soul requires spiritual attention each day too.
II – It Speaks Of Forgiveness - “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” A petition respecting our sins. We confess that we are sinners saved by grace and need daily grants of pardon and forgiveness. We are instructed to keep us a continual habit of confession at the throne of grace, and a continual habit of seeking mercy and remission. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8). In this life, no Christian will ever be beyond sinning, so no one should dare let down his guard. We are sinners by nature and by practice.
At CONVERSION, all our sins are forgiven – past – present – and future. Yet even after we become Christians, we still sin and must confess. It takes humility and honesty to recognize our weaknesses. Don’t pretend we are strong. We need not fear revealing our sins to God – He knows them already. He will not push as away – no matter what we’ve done. Instead He will push away the sins and draw us to Himself. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
(1 John 1:9).
Confession is supposed to free us to enjoy fellowship with God. Confession ease our consciences and lighten our cares. True confession involves a commitment not to continue in sin. We are not genuinely confessing our sins before God if we plan to commit the sin again and just want temporary forgiveness.
II – It Speaks Of Forgiveness - “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” A petition respecting our sins. We confess that we are sinners saved by grace and need daily grants of pardon and forgiveness. We are instructed to keep us a continual habit of confession at the throne of grace, and a continual habit of seeking mercy and remission. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8). In this life, no Christian will ever be beyond sinning, so no one should dare let down his guard. We are sinners by nature and by practice.
At CONVERSION, all our sins are forgiven – past – present – and future. Yet even after we become Christians, we still sin and must confess. It takes humility and honesty to recognize our weaknesses. Don’t pretend we are strong. We need not fear revealing our sins to God – He knows them already. He will not push as away – no matter what we’ve done. Instead He will push away the sins and draw us to Himself. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
(1 John 1:9).
Confession is supposed to free us to enjoy fellowship with God. Confession ease our consciences and lighten our cares. True confession involves a commitment not to continue in sin. We are not genuinely confessing our sins before God if we plan to commit the sin again and just want temporary forgiveness.
(Messages by: Rev. Teofilito A. Rufon).
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