Heidelberg Catechism Week 51

126. Q. What does the fifth request mean? A. "Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors" means, Because of Christ's blood, do not hold against us, poor sinners that we are, any of the sins we do or the evil that constantly clings to us. Forgive us just as we are fully determined, as evidence of Your grace in us, to forgive our neighbors.

My reflections on the reading from the book...

DeYoung: "Forgiveness means our sins are no longer counted against us and we no longer count the sins of those who have hurt us."

Unwillingness to extend forgiveness to those who have wronged me is a sin that I must confess and repent of, if I sense it creeping into my life – because it hinders my fellowship with God! The parable of the unmerciful servant (Matt. 18:23-35) tells of one who refused to demonstrate to others the same forgiveness and kindness that he himself had received. This parable underscores the vital link between God's forgiveness of us and our own forgiving spirit. If I am unable to forgive others, I should look closely at my relationship with the Lord! 

May I treat others as the Lord has treated me – with forgiveness and grace! "Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you" (Eph. 4:32). It is through my Christlike attitude of forgiveness that I point others to the Saviour!