An Explanation of Luther's Small Catechism · Martin Luther
AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US.
3. _A Promise to Forgive our Fellow-men._ God's mercy to us must move as to be merciful to others. [Eph. 3:32] If it does not, God will withdraw His mercy from us, [Matt. 6:14, 15+] as the master withdrew his from the unmerciful servant in the parable. [Matt. 18:32-35] Forgiving others is not a merit which entitles us to receive God's forgiveness. It follows as a result of God's mercy to us. Because God so mercifully forgives us for Jesus' sake, we promise that WE WILL, THEREFORE, ON OUR PART, BOTH HEARTILY FORGIVE AND ALSO READILY DO GOOD TO THOSE WHO MAY INJURE OR OFFEND US. No matter how greatly others may have sinned against us, we have sinned much more against God. If He is willing to forgive us our great debt, we should be willing to forgive our fellow-men their lesser debt. If we refuse to forgive others, God will lay our own sins to our charge, and punish us. QUESTIONS.--1. What three things do we do in this petition? 2. What is to be said about the close connection between this petition and the preceding one? 3. What does this petition presuppose? 4. Why do we need to confess our guilt to God? 5. Is sin ever excusable? 6. Why does this petition presuppose faith? 7. What do we pray God to do with our sins? 8. If God regarded our sins, how would He treat our requests? 9. Why do we promise to forgive others? 10. Why must we be willing to forgive them?
SCRIPTURE VERSES.--Ps. 32:5. I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Ps. 130:3. If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? Luke 15:18, 19. I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. Matt. 6:14, 15. For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. READING.-The Unmerciful Servant, Matt. 18:23-35.
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