"Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors."

This is a risky part of the Lord's Prayer. It takes away our rights to exact revenge, harbor resentment, or even talk about the offense or situation to others. Here Jesus, Master of the Universe and Life points us to:

HIS PARDON. Have been overlooked? Betrayed? Misunderstood? Do you keep giving to others but it never seems to come back? Jesus said, "Offenses will come." So where are you going to go? TO THE CROSS. Christ forgave His enemies when He had the power to destroy them. Think for just a moment, if God: (1) were as selective in forgiving as you are; (2) took His time so you could suffer; (3) told everybody who'd listen to what you've done to Him; (4) forgave, but refused to give you another chance; (5) made up His mind to distance Himself from you and avoid you; (6) next time you were in trouble, refused to help you saying "Huh, it couldn't have happened to a nicer person," could you live with that? NO? Then extend to others the same forgiveness God extends to you. When you pray "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors" you're asking for a change of heart! Nehemiah writes, "Thou art a God ready to pardon" (Neh 9:17). Aren't you glad he didn't write, "Thou art a God ready to put us on probation." No, pardon is God's fixed attitude towards us. The pardon was in place before the offense was committed. WOW! That unburdens us and sets us completely free. The only place bitterness can live is in our memory. The only power it can have over us, is the power we give it. So, remember that, next time you pray The Lord's Prayer.

GROW IN GOD AND IN HIS WORD!