Keeping close to God

Read Matthew 6:12-13

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Last but not least, Jesus tells us to pray about our own spiritual lives. He outlines two distinct aspects which together keep us close to God and able to live for his kingdom. These correspond to the two great gospel promises for those who believe – forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Spirit (Acts 2:38).

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Forgiveness is essential to our daily walk with God (12). We need his regular cleansing from our sin, and in grace and mercy he freely gives it (1 Jn.1:9; Eph.1:7). But just as essential is our need to “forgive those who sin against us”. Those who have been forgiven by the Father must never hold grudges against his children (Eph.4:32; Col.3:13). Using the Lord’s Prayer to guide us ensures this spiritual health check.

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God forgives us so that we can live a new life. “Deliver us from evil” clarifies the meaning of “lead us not into temptation” (13; Lk.11:4). Taken together they point us to our need for spiritual victory and protection in our daily living. The evil one wants us to stumble and fall. Our Father wants to give us the Holy Spirit so that we overcome temptation just as Jesus did (Mt.4:1-10; Lk.11:13; Gal.5:25). So pray daily for God to cleanse you and fill you.