(馬太福音 6:12)
“免我們的債，如同我們免了人的債。”
今日我們一同思想馬太福音六章十二節中關於赦免的教導。這節經文大家耳熟能詳，卻也最容易產生誤解。有人將其視為與上帝交換赦免的條件，認為唯有我們赦免他人，天父才會赦免我們。然而，神的心意並非如此。另一種誤解則是主張無條件地赦免那些傷害我們的人，即便對方毫無悔改之意，我們也必須表面上表現得寬宏大量。這種想法往往會對受害者造成更深的傷害，也違背了聖經的公義原則。
在信仰中，有一個不變的真理：沒有悔改，就沒有赦免。上帝對我們的愛與恩典固然是白白的、無條件的，但祂的赦免卻是有條件的，這便是罪人的認罪與轉向。如果神在人不悔改的情況下仍宣告赦免，那祂便是一位不分是非、縱容罪惡的神。
既然公義的神是以此原則待人，我們在面對得罪我們的人時，也應當有清晰的界限。
對於那些死不悔改的人，我們其實沒有權力去代替上帝宣告他們無罪，所有的審判權最終都歸於神。這裡所謂的免了人的債，更深層的意義在於心靈的放手。我們選擇不讓憤恨與怒火繼續綑綁自己的靈魂，而是將這份公義的追討權交還給最高的主宰。我們雖然不再計較、不再被恨意侵蝕，但對方的罪責依然在他們自己身上，直到他們願意在神面前低頭悔改。
因此，當我們祈求天父免我們的債，如同我們免了人的債時，這是一種權柄的移交。我們深知自己是蒙恩罪人，在神面前謙卑悔改領受赦免；同時，我們也學習不再抓緊對他人的定罪權，而是以平靜的心將一切交託給那位公義的審判官。願我們都能在神的主權中，得著靈魂真正的自由與平安。
(Matthew 6:12)
“And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”
Today, we contemplate the teaching on forgiveness found in Matthew 6:12. This verse is familiar to many, yet it is also frequently misunderstood. Some view it as a bargaining chip with God, believing that our forgiveness of others is the prerequisite for the Father’s forgiveness of us. However, this is not God’s intent. Another common misconception is the idea that we must unconditionally forgive those who hurt us, even if they show no remorse, maintaining a facade of magnanimity. Such a mindset often inflicts deeper wounds on the victim and violates the biblical principle of justice.
In faith, there is an unchanging truth: without repentance, there is no forgiveness. While God’s love and grace are indeed freely given and unconditional, His forgiveness is conditional upon the sinner’s confession and turning back to Him. If God were to declare forgiveness while a person remains unrepentant, He would be a God who ignores right and wrong and indulges evil.
Since the righteous God treats us according to this principle, we should also maintain clear boundaries when facing those who have wronged us. Regarding those who stubbornly refuse to repent, we do not actually have the authority to stand in God’s place and declare them innocent; all ultimate judgment belongs to God. The true meaning of forgiving the debts of others lies in a spiritual letting go. We choose not to let resentment and anger continue to bind our souls, but instead return the right of seeking justice to the Supreme Ruler. Although we no longer dwell on the offense or allow hatred to consume us, the guilt of the other party remains upon them until they are willing to bow in repentance before God.
Therefore, when we pray for the Father to forgive our debts as we forgive our debtors, it is an act of transferring authority. We are deeply aware that we are redeemed sinners who receive forgiveness through humble repentance before God. Simultaneously, we learn to release our grip on the right to condemn others, entrusting everything with a peaceful heart to the Just Judge. May we all find true spiritual freedom and peace within God’s sovereignty.
