Paying it Forward
“And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”
Matthew 6:12
When we think of the word “debt,” money is the first thing that comes to mind, generally speaking. “Debt” is simply that which is owed, payment for sin or payment of an offense, be it legal or spiritual. Looking at this statement which Jesus prays should leave each one of us unquestionably without excuse.
Jesus immediately confronts the problem that all flesh fights. We are much quicker to want to collect than we are to pay. It is much easier to be forgiven than it is to forgive. When we are owed, the debtor should be understanding, in that we need payment. When we owe, the lien holder should be understanding.
In this simple 10-word sentence of a prayer that Jesus prays, He levels the playing field. He does not do as we would do and ask for the miraculous to happen. He prays for our ability to be preemptive. He gives us what is actually a tactical move, to cause a heavenly chain reaction on a thing called debt.
The scripture states we are a slave to the debtor. God never intended for his children to be owned, possessed, maintained or reserved by the debtor. There is nothing worse than trying to get away from accruing interest of an unpaid debt.
This principal Jesus is teaching is now commonly called “paying it forward.” Jesus simply states if you want away from the snare of debt that sin has left upon your life, if you want to be free from guilt or if you want to be forgiven of a debt in this life, forgive someone that owes you – so that you may live a debt-free life.
Our prayer for you this week: May you learn to forgive so that you may be debt free.