FORGIVE US OUR SINS

PASTOR RYAN LADEN – DEVOTIONALS

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There are three more sections to our study of Jesus’ teaching on the meaning and purpose of prayer as found in Luke 11:1-4. Today we are going to start a three-part look into the meaning of Luke 11:4, which says, “Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.” The first of the three sections of this teaching can be heard in the four words of, “Forgive us our sins”.

Hallowed Again

Before we get into the idea being expressed here, let me take you on a diversion back to the big idea found at the beginning of this teaching.

Firstly Jesus instructed his disciples to acknowledge the “otherness” or the holiness of the God of creation to whom we are to pray. When we acknowledge God’s majesty and significance, we do not add anything to God. When we praise the Lord, we are simply reminding ourselves of the nature of the Lord. 

Forgiveness

When Jesus instructs his disciples to pray for the forgiveness of their sins, he is doing something similar to his instruction to acknowledge the holiness of God. To ask for forgiveness is to acknowledge the following big ideas:

1. I am guilty of sin against God. 
2. I am in need of God’s forgiveness. 
3. There is nothing I can do to reverse my need for forgiveness. 
4. The Lord wants me to turn to him for help. 
5. The Lord is willing to help me with my sin problem. 
6. God will provide forgiveness to me directly. 

That is a lot to say in such a small prayer. 

Bigger

But the reality of our forgiveness from God is even bigger than you might think. In the passage below, taken from the Apostle Paul’s writings to the church in Colossae, we hear that the work that Jesus did on our behalf goes far beyond forgiving the sin we remember to bring before the Lord. 

13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

(Colossians 2:13-15 NIV11)

While

In verse 13 we are told that the work that Jesus did for us occurred while we were still sinners, people addicted to and living in our flesh. This means that we did not earn his gift of grace and we cannot take ownership of any part of his forgiveness. 

All

Also in verse 13, we are told that Jesus Christ has forgiven all of our sins. All sin is all sin. Past, present, and future, the Lord has provided forgiveness for the very thing known as sin. Sin itself, as a whole concept, was canceled or undone, on the cross (verse 14).

Nailed

Your sin has been taken away from you by Jesus Christ. It was removed, nailed to the cross with Jesus, and was taken into the grave, never to resurface. As John the Baptist said, Jesus is the Lamb of God that has come to take away the sins of the world. This was God’s plan from the beginning of creation and Jesus completed the act in his resurrection. 

Condemn

In verse 15 we hear that Jesus has undone all of those who dare to stand over you and use your sin against you as you stand before the Lord in your day of glory. No enemy can stand against you because of your sin as it now belongs to the Lord. 

Reminder

So when Jesus Christ instructs us to pray that our sins would be forgiven by the Lord, this is a call to remind ourselves that the Lord alone can, has, and will forever forgive us through the sacrifice of the incarnate God on the cross of Christ.

As it is with God’s holiness, our recognition does not add to the truth of who God is and what the Lord has done for us. He is our Redeemer. Jesus Christ, the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. 

In Christ, 

Ryan Laden

PASTOR RYAN LADEN

Works at MTN. CHURCH

Former Senior pastor at Warnbro Community Church

Studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at Baylor University

Studied at Texas Tech University

Went to Castle Hills First Baptist

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