Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us (Matthew 6:12).
This clause is the turning point of the Prayer. It is the strategic key. Having told us what God is, what man is, how the universe work, how we are to do our own work, what our true nourishment or supply is, and the way in which we can obtain it, he now comes to the forgiveness of sins.
The forgiveness of sins is the central problem of life. Sin is a sense of separation from God, and is the major tragedy of human experience. It is, of course, rooted in selfishness. It is essentially an attempt to gain some supposed good to which we are not entitled in justice. It is a sense of isolated, self-regarding, personal existence; whereas the Truth of Being is that all is One. Our true selves are at one with God, undivided from Him, expressing His ideas, witnessing to His nature. Because we are all one with the great Whole of which we are spiritually a part, it follows that we are one with all men.
Evil, sin, the fall of man, in fact, is essentially the attempt to negate this Truth. We try to live apart from God. We act as though we could have plans and purposes and interests separate from Him. All this, if it were true, would mean that existence is not one and harmonious, but a chaos of competition and strife. But, of course, it is not true, and therein lays the joy of life.
In this passage our forgiveness from God is linked to our forgiveness for others. If God forgives us “as” we forgive others, then the way we forgive directly affects our forgiveness from God. This raises a tough question. Are we forgiving others “as” we would have God forgive us? Would we be willing to accept the same level of forgiveness from God that we give to others? Do we show mercy to those who offend us as we would want God to show us mercy? The fact is we can”t have it both ways. I f we are harsh, unforgiving and judgmental, then we should expect to be judged and treated the same way.
Now is the time to let go of all those grudges, resentments and judgements against those who have hurt or wronged us. This day we can claim mercy and forgiveness for ourselves by giving it to others. Each day we can live in harmony with God and those we touch by freely offering forgiveness and mercy. Then we will be in communion with God and those around us as we walk in the garden God created to share with each of us.
In forgiveness,
Z gardener
Good Morning Garden 
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