From Discipleship Weekly

(a publication of the Presbyterian Church of Islip)

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A Word from Our Sponsor . . .whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses. -- Mark 11:25-26 The Heidelberg Catechism: Part 3 - Thankfulness Week 51: Our Lord's Prayer 126. Q. What is the fifth petition? A. "And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors." That is: be pleased, for the sake of Christ's blood, not to charge to us, miserable sinners, of our many transgressions, nor the evil which still clings to us. We also find this witness of thy grace in us, that it is our sincere intention heartily to forgive our neighbor. [Ps. 51:1-7; 143:2; Matt. 6:14-15; 18:21-35; Rom. 8:1; I John 2:1-2] Suggestions for discussion and review: 1. According to the Catechism, "forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors" means: ____ Forgive us because we forgive others. ____ Forgive us in the same way, or to the same degree, that we forgive others. ____ Forgive us as we practice the forgiveness we know in Christ. ____ Forgive us as we, in this moment, declare that we forgive and will forgive others. 2. Using Psalm 51:1-12 and today's Catechism, compare the words used to describe the following: Sin Feelings of the sinner Asking for forgiveness Results of being forgiven * * * * * * * * * * 'I can forgive, but I cannot forget,' is only another way of saying, 'I cannot forgive.' -- Henry Ward Beecher