Jesus taught us to pray, “In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth (should be “In” us, as we are earthen vessels) as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, AS WE FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS…” (Matt. 6:9-12) I learned this prayer in the KJV which says “In earth…” I mention this because the god of this world will not allow God’s peace to reign on his world! “…if our gospel is hidden, it is hidden to those who are lost, in whom the god OF THIS WORLD has BLINDED THE MINDS of the unbelieving ones, so that the light of the glorious gospel of Christ (who is the image of God) should not dawn on them.” (2 Corin. 4:3-4)
I want to focus on is the statement Jesus made, “AS WE FORGIVE…” another way this could be stated is, “as I forgive those who have sinned against me, forgive me in that SAME WAY Father” or “as I show kindness to others, show that SAME KINDNESS to me Father!” or “as I bless others, bless me in that same method Father!”
“…the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but HOW WE ACT while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” (Gal. 5:22-23)
Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ,
AS THOUGH GOD WERE PLEADING THROUGH US: WE IMPLORE YOU ON CHRIST’S BEHALF, BE RECONCILED TO GOD…(2 Corin. 5:20)
-Bill Stockham