| The Golden Gate of Prayer |
Chapter 12 |
Page 5 |
David had wrecked a home, caused the death of a faithful soldier, and brought dishonor upon a nation, but he said truly, “Against thee, thee only, have I sinned.” Jesus made it plain that our unpaid debts of love to men are debts to God. In the judgment, those who have neglected to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, and care for the sick, are said to have failed in these duties to the Judge himself. He who sins against another sins against God.
The word “our” is suggestive. Our sins are our own. Each one lives his own life apart. In the Fifty-first Psalm David speaks continually of “my sin,” “my transgression,” “mine iniquity.” He could blame this sins on no other. He could transfer his guilt to no other. No matter who tempted us, our sin is still our own. No one can compel us to sin. Temptation is not sin — the sin begins when we yield to it. “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you,” say the Scriptures. Every man’s soul is his castle, and no other, no evil spirit, no hosts of wicked powers, can force an entrance. Hence our sins are our own and we never can lay the blame on any other. “Nothing,” said Augustine, “is so much our own as our sins.” The most loving friend could not take our sin and free us from it. David would have died for Absalom, but his love was powerless to do so. Every one must give account of himself unto God.
What shall we do? Here is the only answer: “Father, forgive us our debts.” Can sin be forgiven? We are told that nature knows no forgiveness. You cannot get back the health lost in sinful indulgence. You cannot recall the bitter word which flew yesterday from your lips into a loving heart. You cannot undo the evil which cause an innocent person to fall. Yet from the beginning of the Bible to its close we are assured that God is a God of mercy, and that however great our sins against him may be he will forgive us. He loves to forgive. He is slow to wrath but swift in mercy.
Page 5