“…when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (Matthew 6:5-8)
The simple prayers of those Israelites who prayed “in secret” were rewarded in accordance with what their Father God knew they needed. All other prayers were just “babbling” like pagans. It seems to me this is good advice for us as well.
“…if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:14-15)
Those Israelites that Jesus was speaking to who did "not forgive others their sins" were not forgiven by their Father God for their own sins.
Let me ask you, does the above apply to Christians?
Well in my opinion it applies to everyone…even now! And what is the result of sin?
The simple prayers of those Israelites who prayed “in secret” were rewarded in accordance with what their Father God knew they needed. All other prayers were just “babbling” like pagans. It seems to me this is good advice for us as well.
“…if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:14-15)
Those Israelites that Jesus was speaking to who did "not forgive others their sins" were not forgiven by their Father God for their own sins.
Let me ask you, does the above apply to Christians?
Well in my opinion it applies to everyone…even now! And what is the result of sin?
“the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23a),
But the cross changed everything and God added the promise of "not counting people's sins against them", and the "the free gift of eternal life" to his plan for sinners. After the cross Paul tells "the world" of sinners...
“…God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation…God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:19-21)
AND THE RESULT…
“the free gift of God is eternal life…" (Romans 6:23b)
But the cross changed everything and God added the promise of "not counting people's sins against them", and the "the free gift of eternal life" to his plan for sinners. After the cross Paul tells "the world" of sinners...
“…God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation…God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:19-21)
AND THE RESULT…
“the free gift of God is eternal life…" (Romans 6:23b)