The Lord's Prayer: Matthew 6 Forgiveness Before and After the Cross

The Lord's Prayer in biblical context and understanding what is being said in the verses of the bible.

Understanding The Lord's Prayer

Prior to Jesus giving himself as a sacrifice for the sins of the world, the disciples asked Jesus, "How should we pray." Jesus gives us some instructions, admonitions, and examples of what to do and not to do.

I dare say, that most Christians today have given very little weight to the admonitions in the verses of the bible of what not to do in prayer, and have turned an example of a prayer into a doctrinal belief system of sin and forgiveness. People have a tendency to ask, "What about Matthew 6:12, where Jesus says, 'Forgive us our sins, just as we also have forgiven those who sin against us.'; doesn't that prove that we should ask for forgiveness from God?"

Let's take a look at the Lord's Prayer to begin with in full context.

Jesus Teaches About Prayer Before The Cross in Matthew 6:5-15

Jesus said, "When you pray, don't be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

"When you pray, don't babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don't be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! Pray like this:

Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.

May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.

And don't let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.

Jesus Teaches About Forgiveness Before The Cross

Here is the real kicker when it comes to understanding forgiveness before and after the cross. In the book of Matthew chapter 6, verses 14 and 15, we read, "If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins." New Living Bible Translation

Now, after reading that, do you really want God to forgive you, as you forgive others? Be truthful with your answer. How about that worker that took the credit for something that you did, and got promoted instead of yourself, and till this day you still are holding a grudge against them. How about the neighbor that is constantly rude to you, and doesn't even say hello? How about that person that stole from you, and still to this day you are holding resentment against that person that had taken something of yours? Is God holding a grudge or resentment against you because of your resentment toward others? Let me tell you the good news.

God Teaches About Forgiveness After the Cross

God forgave you and the world, of all of yours and our sins, before you and we even ask or asked for it. That is what the cross is all about. God is not holding a grudge or resentment against anyone today. While we were yet sinners, Jesus died for us, forgiving us of all our sins at the cross. Forgiveness is not conditional from God on what we do or don't do.

Colossians 2:13

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,

Colossians 2:12-14 (in Context)
Colossians 2 (Whole Chapter)

So, what is a person to do today regarding the sins I/we commit or are committed against others, from God's perspective and against us?

First off, we should thank God for forgiving that sin of yours against others. Because of the cross, nothing can separate us from the love of God. Second, we should forgive others because God has forgiven you. Don't forgive others of their sins today against you because you think you have to do this in order for God to forgive you of your sins.

Colossians 3:13

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Colossians 3:12-14 (in Context)
Colossians 3 (Whole Chapter)

How Does God Want Us To Deal With Sins Against Us?

Ephesians 4:32

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Ephesians 4:31-32 (in Context)
Ephesians 4 (Whole Chapter)

What and How Should we Pray Today?

The Lord's Prayer After the Cross

Our Father Who is in heaven, Holy is Your name.

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

Give us this day our daily bread.

And thank you for forgiveness of my sins, and help us to forgive others as you have forgiven us.

And lead (bring) us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

For I know you have forgiven me of my sins, and who am I to hold sins against others. Not my will, but your will be done.

Thank you for the forgiveness of all of my sins.

Please read the Welcome message.