John MacArthur has excellent commentaries for almost the whole New Testament. These books have been a wonderful tool for me in the study of the scriptures. He has written them in a beautifully simple, yet profound way that not only complements my study but offers the insight of a biblical scholar. The following comes from the commentary on Matthew and refers to a portion from the Lord's Prayer referred by Dr. MacArthur as "The Disciple's Prayer". (Matthew 6:9-13-15)
Sin is that which separates man from God, and is therefore man's greatest enemy and greatest problem. Sin dominates the mind and heart of man. It has contaminated every human being and is the degenerative power that makes man susceptible to disease, illness, and every conceivable form of evil and unhappiness, temporal and eternal. The ultimate effects of sin are death and damnation, and the present effects are misery, dissatisfaction, and guilt. Sin is the common denominator of every crime, every theft, lie, murder, immorality, sickness, pain, and sorrow of mankind. It is also the moral and spiritual disease for which man has no cure.
Because man's greatest problem is sin, his greatest need is forgiveness. Christians have been forgiven the ultimate penalty of sin [but are still in need of] God's constant forgiveness for the sins we continue to commit. We are to pray therefore, "forgive us" (6:12)
Dr. MacArthur quotes the prayer of the following Puritan saint of many generations ago: "Grant me never to lose sight of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, the exceeding righteousness of salvation, the exceeding glory of Christ, the exceeding beauty of holiness, and the exceeding wonder of grace." "I am guilty but pardoned. I am lost but saved. I am wandering but found. I am sinning but cleansed. Give me perpetual broken-heartedness. Keep me always clinging to Thy cross."
