“And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” (Matthew 6:12)
The Lord’s Prayer is a form of a perfect prayer Jesus taught to His disciples. The Lord’s Prayer contains every important matter we must ask and express to the Lord. One of them is what’s written in verse 12. When we pray, we have to realize and confess to the Lord that we still have many shortcomings and weaknesses, and that He is the only one who is able to give us forgiveness.
Two thousand years ago, Jesus died on the cross to redeem all of or sins and trespasses. People will receive the work of Jesus’ death and resurrection when they come to Him and believe in Him. After believing, the Bible says that we must ask for forgiveness and confess all of our sins. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
Coming to the Lord and confessing our sins, is the same as living in repentance. Realize, confess and repent – that is what God desires. Many people only say they are Christians, but do not live in repentance. They never realize or confess their sins or come to the Lord and ask for His forgiveness.
The Bible already teaches us to always live in peace with the Lord. Christ has made peace between the Heavenly Father and us through His precious blood. Our response should be to live in holiness and peace with Him, until He comes for the second time and take us, His church. “Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless” (2 Peter 3:14). When we are aware of this and are willing to change, the Holy Spirit will work and enable us to become more like Christ.
Living in holiness is God’s command that every believer must do. Living in repentance daily will bring us to a life that is holy before the Lord. Holiness is a requirement for us to be able to see God and His glory.
Taken from GBI Gatot Subroto Jakarta article