“And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us:” This portion of The Lord’s Prayer can be uttered sincerely only by those whose hearts are filled with the same spirit of love which prompted our Heavenly Father to send his Son into the world to be the Redeemer and Savior. This love provides for the forgiveness of sinners, who have trespassed against God by disobeying his laws. He is willing to forgive us, but only on the condition that we have the proper heart attitude toward those who sin against us. Certainly this is a searching test of our sincerity.

God forgives his people because he considers that their imperfections are concealed by the merit of the redeeming blood of Christ. This means that the one who prays is a wholehearted believer in Christ, whose acceptance of Christ is so unreserved that he has given up all else to follow his Master. Only such can go to God in prayer, asking forgiveness in Christ’s name.