Monday, February 16 Forgive us our sins.​—Luke 11:4.

[Helen Highwater]

Monday, February 16

Forgive us our sins.—Luke 11:4.

 

Is it possible for us to regain all that Adam and Eve lost? Not on our own merits. (Ps. 49:7-9) Without help, we would have no hope for a future life or a resurrection. In fact, our death would be just like that of animals. (Eccl. 3:19;2 Pet. 2:12) Our loving Father, Jehovah, has given us a gift that pays for the debt of sin that we have inherited from Adam. Jesus explained it this way: “God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) Additionally, this same gift allows us the possibility of establishing a good relationship with Jehovah. We can benefit from this amazing gift and have our sins, or “debts,” forgiven. w25.02 3 ¶3-6

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Jesus placed forgiveness in the rhythm of daily prayer. Bread for today. Mercy for today. That teaches us something sobering: imperfection is ongoing, so dependence must be ongoing.

 

Yet Jehovah has already made the legal provision. As John 3:16 states, “God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.” The ransom is not sentimental kindness; it is justice satisfied by love.

 

Notice also the boundary at Psalm 49:7-9. No man can redeem even a brother. We do not repair our standing by effort; we approach Jehovah on the basis of His arrangement. And in the same prayer, forgiveness received is tied to forgiveness extended. That balance keeps humility alive and trust properly placed.