Forgive Us Our Debts

"Don't be a judge of others and you will not be judged; do not condemn and you will not be condemned; forgive and you will be forgiven." - Luke 6:37

I was watching one of the Harry Potter movies a little while ago and someone says to Harry that we have two paths in front of us - the right path and the easy one. Judging others and not forgiving others falls into the easy path, but it's not right. And it's not that you're supposed to justify someone else's wrong actions, it's that how many sins has God forgiven you? So who are you to hold a grudge against somebody else if God doesn't hold one against you? Jesus says that in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, so think carefully about the many sins you need forgiven and what you hold against others. You know that before we are to be in perfect union with God, we need to be cleansed of our sins or else His blessings can't enter our lives, so if you knowingly have not forgiven someone, do not expect to find favor in God's eyes. He will not have mercy on you if you do not have it with others. Jesus calls sins and offenses "debts," so if you want to clear your debts with God, make sure you clear your debts with your neighbors. Clearing our debts is all part of the abundant life and freedom Christ died to give us; take advantage of this gift.

Today's Prayer:
God, thank You for the gift of forgiveness and the blessings You give freely through it. I know it's not easy to forgive those that have hurt and wronged me, but I know it's what You want of me and it's the example You have set with Your death on the cross. Help me to forgive others from the bottom of my heart as You have forgiven me for my many sins. In Your Name we pray, Amen.