Clear Conscience

When we pray the Lord's Prayer, we pray, "Forgive us our tresspasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us." Did Paul need to pray that prayer? Is it true that, "we daily sin much and surely deserve nothing but punishment?" Such was the conviction of Martin Luther. Paul would write of himself, "O wretched man that I am..." (Romans 7:24). Yet Paul says that he "always takes pains to have a clear conscience toward God and man." The only way that is possible is through the forgiveness of Christ and the gracious attitude of men.