Living Changed: The Lord’s PrayerНамуна

Forgiveness

Have you ever held onto something so tightly that your hands hurt? Sometimes we do that with hurts and offenses, gripping them until they cause us pain. The Lord's Prayer reveals a powerful truth about forgiveness that can help us release that grip.

"And forgive us our debts, as we have also forgiven our debtors." (Matthew 6:12)

This part of Jesus' prayer model reveals a beautiful exchange. First, we come before God acknowledging our own need for forgiveness. It's not a one-time event but a daily practice of honest confession. Like children approaching a loving father, we come with open hearts, aware of our shortcomings but confident in His grace.

But Jesus doesn't stop there. He connects our receiving of forgiveness with our giving of it to others. This isn't a transaction, as if God only forgives us if we forgive others. Rather, it's a natural overflow. When we truly grasp the magnitude of God's forgiveness toward us, how can we not extend that same grace to others?

God forgave an eternal debt we could never repay. In comparison, any offense against us is temporary and finite. Yet how often do we find ourselves struggling to release others from the debts they owe us? Whether it's a harsh word, a betrayal, or a deep wound, unforgiveness can become a prison - and we're the ones holding the keys.

Today, let God search your heart. Are you holding onto any unforgiveness? Remember, forgiveness isn't about forgetting or excusing wrong behavior. It's about releasing your right to hold that debt over someone else, just as God, through Christ, has released you from your debt to Him.

Reflect:

• What area of your life needs God's forgiveness today?
• Is there someone you need to forgive? Ask God for the strength to release that burden.
• Thank God for His endless grace and forgiveness in your life.