Forgiving Debts

We are told to ask for forgiveness in the same way we forgive others.

“Forgive us our sins, just as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us.”

Matthew 6:12, Living Bible

Are we really ready to ask for forgiveness when we consider how we have or have not forgiven others? If we want forgiveness, we must be prepared to offer forgiveness to others in the same way Christ offers forgiveness to us.

“‘You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’  Then the angry king sent the man to prison to be tortured until he had paid his entire debt. “That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart.”

Matthew 18:32b-35, NRSV

Forgiving is not ignoring what wrong was done. Forgiving is releasing resentment and pardoning one who has offended or hurt you. For Jesus to forgive us, we must forgive others.