Luke 11:4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation… One of the most effective means of deliverance from this great evil, is prayer. Why do the children of God thus fervently pray to be delivered from sin? 1. Sin is itself "exceeding sinful." It is "an evil thing and bitter." It is the poisoned arrow; the dart that most bitterly wounds the soul. 2. When men are born of God, and become His children, they imbibe a portion of His nature and spirit. Because sin is odious in itself, and hateful to Him, it is hateful to them. 3. It is not like other evils which come upon them, and which they mourn over, but which have no moral turpitude. 4. To this upward progress sin opposes the most humiliating obstacles; it acts upon the mind just as a stupefying or inflammatory disease acts upon the body. To a greater or less extent, every sin does this; while habitual and aggravated sin does it to an alarming degree. The heart, the great moral principle, the master impulse of the wondrous machinery, itself disordered, throws into disorder all the natural faculties. True religion, wherever it is felt in purity and power, always produces the most happy effect upon the mind that embraces it. Nor is there anything that preventeth these joys from being constant, unless it be the chilling, withering influence of sin. Sin is the atmosphere of death. It is like returning winter to the soul when sinful thoughts, sinful passions, and sinful pursuits agitate it. The Christian who is even surprised into sin, finds it difficult to return to his wonted enjoyment of God. Sin also diminishes, if it does not destroy the Christian's usefulness. True piety is efficient and operative. Another reason for this request is found in the fact, that sin is so universally destructive in its tendencies upon the happiness and best interests of the world in which we dwell. There is still another reason for this request: it is found in the claims of redeeming love. The suppliant is one who addresses the God of pardon. He has become reconciled to Him through that mighty Sufferer who hung upon the cross. God is His Father now; He would not wound that heart of paternal love. (G. Spring, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. |
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