Jan 15 2010
Forgive Our Debts
Matthew 6:12 Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven (left, remitted, and let go of the debts, and have given up resentment against) our debtors. (Amplified Bible)
One thing we are discovering in America is that debt is costly. The Bible says the borrower is slave to the lender. Our children will be paying the debt we have accumulated for many years to come and those whom we have borrowed from will be our taskmasters in ways that we haven’t begun to understand.
But money is not the only thing that we indebt ourselves with. The burden of unforgiveness that we carry also brings a heavy burden into our lives. The price we pay for harboring unforgiveness is paid with anger, bitterness and strife. Left unchecked, the roots of unforgiveness can even result in physical illnesses like arthritis, heart disease, and even cancer. It’s no wonder that when the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray that Jesus included forgiveness to others as part of His model prayer.
We must learn to be quick forgivers because we can’t afford what keeping people in the chains of unforgiveness does to us. Even on the money side we must learn to not harbor resentment toward those we have loaned money to or toward those who have more material wealth than we do. We must truly forgive those who we feel owe us something, whatever that is, because as long as we harbor that resentment, we are not truly forgiving people.
So who is on your payback list? Who did you loan money too that never paid you back and probably never will. Ask the Lord to help you to forgive that debt so that He will in turn forgive the debt that you owe to others. Only God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, can give you a clean slate. Even if you start off with a zero balance, it’s better than being in the hole of debt and unforgiveness!
God is good and He wants you to prosper and be in good health above all things (3 John 2). Don’t allow the deception of the enemy to cloud your mind with thoughts of getting even and not letting those who owe you off the hook. Determine that from this day forward you will be a cheerful giver who has no underlying motive except to be a blessing. Humble yourself by choosing to do the God thing. Forgive those who are indebted to you; loose them from all of your expectations and at the very same moment, you will be set free too!
Blessings,
Cinde
