Debts

             And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  (Matthew 6:12)

 

            When I was a child, I learned The Lord’s Prayer. I thought it was in the King James version, but I looked it up just now, and they use the words debt and debtor. Maybe they changed the wording in the last half a century because what I learned was, “And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” I’ve developed the habit of praying The Lord’s Prayer, and recently I’ve been thinking that I should look more closely at the difference.

            Debt is “something, typically money, that is owed or due” or “a feeling of gratitude for a service or favor.”  The first point is to check the Greek; the term appears to be best translated as “debt.” Ultimately, I’ll go with that but for a moment, I want to consider the term “trespass.”

            Legally, trespassing is the “act of knowingly entering another person’s property without permission.”  If we walk into a neighbor’s property, we trespass without permission. It isn’t a huge stretch to suggest that if we flirt with a neighbor’s spouse (or even child) or take something that belongs to them for our own use (even if we return it later), we’re still trespassing. Similarly, suppose we assume their rank, title, or authority to ourselves, or use their rank, title, or authority for our own benefit without their permission. In that case, we might be said to be trespassing. Recently, I saw a meme saying that using God for our purposes was idolatry. That may be, but it’s also trespassing on His turf unless He’s granted permission or commanded it.

            When granted permission to use or enter someone’s territory, it involves debts on our part. We’re expected to leave that property in a stated condition. There are things we can do, and things we can’t. We owe them respectful behavior, and our indebtedness increases when we fail to pay that debt. Until that debt is paid,

            One of my complaints over the past three years is about people who seem to think they have the right to assume the role of my parent, my master, or my god. What I’m complaining about is their trespassing. And those who do so usually seem to think there’s some good reason why they should be allowed to assume that role but let me say something that seems to them to involve my assuming one of those roles in their lives – and they pitch the same fit. Trespassing comes down to the question of boundaries. And we need to seek forgiveness when we cross those of others (including God’s) as well as forgive those who have crossed ours.

            All this means that the word in the verse should be “debt,” but “trespasses” gives us some food for thought.