The Gospel of Luke 11:4 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.” (Luke 11:4 KJV).

This instance of the Lord’s teaching to the disciples is before His completed work on the cross. Those who seek forgiveness from the Father is preconditioned on forgiving those who have sinned against them. However, sadly in that state under the law, no one can and has the power to forgive according to the demands of the law (Romans 6:23). Only the Lord Jesus Christ can and has the power to forgive. So, taking this prayer on a self-effort to forgive, puts one in a position of not to be forgiven, as well.

This prayer declaration, therefore, must be done in the position of faith in Christ Jesus who imputes in us His finished work on the cross. All, including you and I, are already forgiven of their sins - past, present and future. Now, by faith in Him, we can forgive because we are forgiven (Ephesians 4:32). Not because of us, but because of Him who hanged on the cross to supply the demands of the law, in our behalf, that we could not fulfill. In this post-resurrection dispensation of grace, in the finished work of our Lord Jesus Christ, our prayer is not to ask but to receive. With thanksgiving, we come in the posture of receiving the blessings already provided through His grace by our faith. We are already blessed! (Ephesians 1:3).

Temptation? As God's children by grace through faith in Christ Jesus, He does not lead us into temptation. He is our refuge from it. This part of the prayer is a request for God's strength and protection to stand firm against evil and temptation when it inevitably arises in this sinful world. While we are still in a sinful world, by faith His love wipes multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8). Scriptures give us this reassuring exhortation: “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.” (Romans 6:12-14 ESV).

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.

Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
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