To trespass is to pass through without permission, to intrude and violate against. What do you mean when you pray “Forgive our trespasses (debts) as we forgive those who trespass against us (our debtors)”? What are some of the things that we may have trespassed and need God’s forgiveness?
Three words about sin in the bible can shed some light on this. First, the word “sin” comes from a root that describes an archer missing the mark. It is about not hitting the target, not doing what one should do and not going where one should go. Another word “transgression” refers to rebellion, acts that violates and goes astray beyond the limit. It is about doing what shouldn’t be done and going down the wrong path. A third word “iniquity” refers to the guilt before God that evokes punishment and God’s wrath.
How do we know what should we not miss or what must we not trespass? In fact, God has already revealed to us all that we need to know through his word, his Son Jesus and the work of the Spirit.
“But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do,
what God is looking for in men and women”
~ Micah 6:8 ( The Message) ~
As Paul says, “for God has made it plain to them…. God’s invisible qualities, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen… so that men are without excuse” (Romans 1:19-20). We are indebted to our Father, our Creator-God, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We owe Him all glory, honor, praise, and our full undivided allegiance.
So let us carefully examine what may be some areas in our lives that we have missed the mark? What may be some areas that we have trespassed against God and others? Could it be that we did not love Him with all our hearts and with all our souls and with all our strength and all our minds, and love our neighbor as ourselves (Luke 10:27)? Could it be that we did not trust Him but lean on our own understanding, and did not acknowledge him in all our ways (Proverbs 3:5-6)?
Let us confess our trespasses and seek his forgiveness:
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love,
according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
~ Psalm 51:1-2 ~
Let us pray with a heart of true penitence, “Father, forgive our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”
With prayers and thanksgiving,
Deaconess Josephine Chow