Forgive Us Our Debts AS We...

Forgiveness is one of the biggest downfalls among Christians. Offenses abound and as a result, many bitter fellings.

We ask God to forgive us. We know that Christ died as a substitute for our sins and is bound, based on Christ's redemptive work on the cross, to forgive us...or is He?

In the model prayer, Jesus taught that we should pray in this way: "Father forgive us our debts AS we forgive everyone their debts to us." For the Father to forgive us our debts (tresspasses, offenses, etc.) we MUST forgive others. Actually, according to the way the verse is constructed, the Father will forgive us AS WE FORGIVE OTHERS. There is a condition here.

Forgiveness is God's nature. He paid the ultimate price to forgive you your massive debt. How dare we be unwilling to forgive others for what they have done to us. We were forgiven so much and yet are unwilling to forgive so little!

Let me tell you what unforgiveness will do for you: it will inprison you! Your unwillingness to forgive will make your life bitter and miserable. Many sicknesses are even due to an unforgiving heart.

Don't think that it's okay to say, "He/She owns me!" No one owes you anything! Besides, Jesus said that we need to forgive 70 time 7! An unforgiving heart is not God's heart. If you want to experience living debt-free with God, you have better release EVERYONE you even think owes you anything!

In my over 35 years as a Christian, many have offended me. Many have spread lies and gossiped about me. I was even sued by a group of Christians! It wasn't until the last several years did I see the danger of unforgiveness. I didn't truly understand the nature of God and His will that I harbor NO ill toward another person...especially the household of the faith. There are no excuses. There is NOTHING anyone could do to you that would justify a "you owe me" attitude.

To be like God, you must forgive. To honor God, you must forgive. To live debt-free and prosperous before God, you must forgive.

Make a list of all who you feel own you. Then declare forgiveness for each person on that list and burn it! Let go all that bitter root and you will experience true freedom.