Forgiveness

"I believe in the forgiveness of sins……"

But what we are really saying is ….

"I believe in the forgiveness of sins……mostly mine"

Or

"I believe in the forgiveness of sins……for everyone except mine"

Or

"I believe in the forgiveness of sins…… but not (fill in the political or theological party of your choice)."

Or

""I believe in the forgiveness of sins……so that justifies me being a jerk"

Or

"I believe in the forgiveness of sins……because darn it, I deserve it"

Or

"I don't believe in forgiveness of sins because the national church by a majority vote, we decided sin does not exist"

"forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us….."

But what we are really praying is....

"Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us and

God I hope you don't hold me to this"

Or

"Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, but the historical Jesus would never have said this, so it doesn't count.

Or

"Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us but this sounds too much like the law, so forget it; if only Jesus had read Luther"

Or

"Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us and thank you Lord that I do not say debt and debtors like those obnoxious Reformed folks."

Or

"Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, but obviously this does not go into effect until the Millennium, so I get to keep my guns, grudges, and prejudices.

Or

"Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; ok, but I am going to need a lot of help on this one. Lord be merciful to me a sinner.