By Pastor E.A. Adeboye
MEMORIZE: “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” (Matt 6:12).
READ: Matthew 6:9-15
The wisdom of God is pure, peaceable and gentle. Another attribute of divine wisdom according to James 3:17 is that it is easily entreated. That means it easily forgives. In the Lord’s Prayer recorded in Matthew 6:9-15, our Lord Jesus Christ spoke about forgiveness. Verse 11 and 12 are key here. Verse 11 says, “Give us this day our daily bread”. This scripture tells us how much we ought to depend on God. An outstanding truth here is that no matter your size or strength, without God’s assistance, you cannot provide yourself with your daily bread. This is why I always smile when I hear someone address a particular individual as the ‘bread winner’. If you want to go to work and God withdraws His support for your legs, they will not be able to function. There are many people who have legs but cannot walk with them. People say they have a stroke. If God withdraws His hand from your intellect, you will suddenly lose all your faculties. If you have even executed a contract and God withdraws His support, you may never be paid or you may not be alive on the date of payment. There are many people who staked all they had on a project only to be told there was no money after completion. God is the true Bread Winner, not your husband or wife or your parents.
The fact that you need Him everyday is the reason you cannot afford to live in un-forgiveness. Matt 6:12 says, “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors”. It did not say, ‘Help us to give’. If you want to forgive, it is in your power. The grace is available. The issue is whether you are willing or not. Contrary to the prayers of some, you do not require any further assistance from God to forgive. He has already put what you need to do so in place. If fail to forgive others, your sins will be recorded and held against you, starting from that moment you failed to forgive. In addition, you will observe that there is a tendency to begrudge those who owe you financially or materially. If someone has owed you some amount of money for several years, and your mind is still on it and you feel bad towards debtor all the time, it is time you wrote off that debt and ask God to pay you instead, so that your way to Heaven will not be unhindered? Many people may go to hell for holding grudges against their debtors.
KEY POINT
Is anyone owing you and causing you bitterness and resentment? Forgive the fellow and write off the debt.
Bible in One year: Gen. 6-9
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