Contemplative Bible Reading

Luke 11:4 (Christian Standard Bible)

And forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves also forgive everyone
in debt to us.
And do not bring us into temptation.

This English translation of the Lord’s Prayer equates sin with debt. Sometimes I struggle with understanding sin. Sure, this is wrong and this is right. Sin, however, is a deep subject that gives me a headache sometimes.

Debt—I understand debt. The lady behind the counter at Starbucks gives me a cup of copy. I have a debt to pay. The magic of the iPhone and credit cards and banks and all that electronic transfer of coffee takes care of the details. At the foundation is a debt that must be paid. There is no free lunch and no free coffee and (this is the part that hurts) no free sin.

Someone has to pay the debt of sin. VISA cards and the iPhone don’t help with that. Jesus takes care of that. Thank you, God. Thank you for paying the debt that I can never pay. Help me to live a live of appreciation.