Forgiveness (Matthew 6:9-15)

 9Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 

10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 

11 Give us this day our daily bread, 

12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 

15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

I am sure that this is the verses that almost every one could memorise. However, how many people actually meditate on these lines, rather than just playing it out like a recording device, without really remembering what these lines actually mean. 

I, myself realise that I am making this mistake tonight. :(

I had a conversation online with a few friends in my course and actually learnt some disappointing news. For a while, all I thought was how could people take one's kindness for granted. All I feel was only disappointment. Then, the word "forgiveness" rings in my ear. I start browsing for verses on forgiveness, Matthew 6:9 appears and I automatically say the verses without even having to think. I say it so fast that I do not really remember which part of it comes with the word "forgive", and what each lines are about. How could I be saying those verses everyday and do not know what they are for? The lesson I had in Church Varsity CG comes to my mind. Am I only reading God's words and praying because I have to or because I want to? Am I flashing through with only our eyes and mouth or reading with all my heart, mind and soul? There is a difference between flashing through the lines and reading the lines. Have I forgotten that?

12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

Time of reflection: Have you actually really let go all the grudges you have been holding, every time you pray and say that verse? Or are you just replaying it again and again like a pre-recorded device? 

What happened tonight is an alarm to me, an alarm which reminds me to reflect on the mistakes I have been doing. It is time for me to learn to appreciate God's words, and read His words using my heart, soul and mind, but not merely with my eyes. Forgiving others is certainly a test for me. I may not be blaming or holding a grudge with the people that have wronged me, yet, I failed to forgive and forget most of the time. I still got upset easily when I am reminded of those incidents or people and it troubled my heart. God has taught me a lesson today through this small incident. They may have taken for granted my kindness and brought some troubles to me because of the kindness I showed them, however, that does not mean I should stop doing kind. Jesus did not stop showing mercy and kindness to the people who mistreated Him, but instead, He never stopped offering his unconditional love and forgiveness to the world. In the bible too, there are so many times, where Jesus commands us to forgive and forget, for that is the only way we, ourselves will be forgiven. :)

14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Tiff.
<3