Clear The Debt

"Forgive us our debts as we forgive those who are in debt to us." - Matthew 6:12

Do you realize that every time you pray the "Our Father" you're asking God to not only forgive you for your sins, but to forgive you to the same degree you forgive others? In other words, if there is someone you're not forgiving or holding a grudge against,… guess what? You won't be forgiven! God, who is just, shows us His mercy and forgiveness countless times and if we're not willing to show the same compassion to another person, we're not worthy of being forgiven. Forgiving someone does not mean you're letting that person off the hook, nor does it mean you're giving them a pass to hurt you again. What it means is that you will not allow for the pain, hurt, and hate that person caused you to become a burden on your heart, mind, and soul. It takes a lot of energy to be mad at someone! And often times, that person could be carefree while we carry around this huge, dead weight. Worst of all, the burden we allow to take hold on our hearts only gets heavier and it will get to a point where God can't get past it and you're the one that suffers the most. Jesus calls it a debt because it weighs us down incredibly.

Instead, when you choose forgiveness, God sees that you don't want to block the path for Him to work in you. Those who seek forgiveness are healed by Him because there is no debt blocking the way. The pain and hurt, God will take away. And, because you chose to forgive, when you sin and mess up, God will choose to remove the debt you owe Him so that not even your mistakes can block your way to your Father in Heaven.

Today's Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You ask us to forgive, but it is so hard, especially when the other person doesn't even seem sorry. But remind me to keep my eyes on You and what is just. Heal me of the pain and anger and allow me to move past this so that nothing keeps me away from You. In Your Name we pray, amen.