Potluck – this forgiveness and Matt 6 – come let us reason together my friend. Let’s take the verses as they stand for whom they were directed and what time period is involved.PotLuck said:Do we pray the Lord's prayer once and only once? Before salvation? No, we pray the Lord's prayer many times during our walk with Christ. And we ask Him for forgiveness every time time we do so.
"And forgive us our sins" "And forgive us our debts"
If we are not to ask forgiveness even after the fact of salvation then why did Christ include it as He taught us to pray?
Yes, I understand what you're saying AV and for the most part I agree with you. But there must be a reason Christ taught the prayer as He did.
1. Context:
Prior to Calvary (you know this), Kingdom message (“thy kingdom come†– kingdom of heaven – a Jewish, earthly kingdom), speaking to disciples (Jewish under the law) – Mercy are we on shaky ground or what!?!
2. Actual text:
Mat 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
The text says – No forgiving of others = no forgiveness from God. Besides being under the law it appears that part of their requirements for getting into the kingdom were confession and asking forgiveness – can’t get around it – The sin payment had not been made yet.
Now…let’s look at Paul….after Calvary and Christ dying for sins.
What is the message today? I Cor. 15:1-5 – One must believe that Christ died for sins – done deal. Nowhere does Paul require asking forgiveness. Read Eph 1:7 again:
Eph 1:7 - In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
The verse says we have forgiveness in Christ. Now unfortunately try this experiment – think a bad thought (bummer)…now read the verse…does it say you have forgiveness or not? Where does Paul say you have to ask forgiveness?
Well, then you may say….â€ÂWhat about I John 1:9?†Written to the circumcism by the apostle to the circumcism where no confession – no forgiveness – similar to Matt 6. Doctrinally applies to tribulation where, once again, Israel is seeking to get into the kingdom and may quite possible apply to being already in the future earthly kingdom. Remember, passages can be both historical and prophetical. At any rate in Heb-Rev you are again on shaky ground trying to make it fit church age doctrine.
Summary – Jesus tells Jewish disciples (under the law prior to Calvary) that if they want to be forgiven they have to forgive – Paul says all over the place that the saint is in Christ and forgiven.
Again, God looks at you as being in Christ seated in heavenly places – Your judicial position, as far as he is concerned, is in Christ and perfect without sin – Down here you and I may be a walking wreck! :-D
Take your pick – Jewish disciples under the law in the Gospels or the redeemed saint, forgiven in Christ in this age of grace.
Didn’t say it was easy…2 Pet 3:16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood,
That is why Paul says study… II Tim. 2:15. :wink:
God bless :D