As We Forgive Our Debtors - by Doug Fortune

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

Forgiveness... it is not just a word, not just a good idea, not just something we are supposed to do. We can know for sure that forgiveness must be of great importance because Jesus reiterates and clarifies the subject a few verses later in Matthew 6:14-15, "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

I believe that forgiveness is a spiritual force. Perhaps it is a spiritual force as strong as faith. Allow me to explain... The word translated as "forgive" is aphiemi in Greek, its' meanings include- to send away, to bid going away or depart, to send forth, yield up, to expire, to let go, let alone, let be.

Let this life-transforming truth just soak into your spirit for a moment!... Forgiveness takes a specific debt that has already manifested and sends it away, causing it to cease to exist!

Now then, we know that faith reaches into the realm of possibilities and causes a specific possibility to manifest. "NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]." (Hebrews 11:1 Amplified Bible) In other words, faith takes things that are NOT seen and makes them a reality.

Forgiveness works exactly the same, only the other way around. Forgiveness takes a specific debt that has already manifested- a sin, a hurt, an offense, and sends it away, causing it to cease to exist. In other words, forgiveness takes things that ARE seen and makes them a non-reality. "As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us." (Psalms 103:12) Forgiveness and faith are the cornerstones upon which all of Christianity is built!

Let this life-transforming truth just soak into your spirit for a moment!... Forgiveness takes a specific debt that has already manifested and sends it away, causing it to cease to exist!

This is SO extremely important because there is one thing in life we can absolutely count on- "...It is impossible but that offenses will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!" (Luke 17:1) Yes, offenses WILL come... And they usually come at the most in-opportune times and through the people closest to you!

The word translated as "offenses" is skandalon in Greek, its' meanings include- the movable stick or trigger of a trap, a trap stick, a trap, snare, any impediment placed in the way and causing one to stumble or fall. offense is a trap, and many live their lives struggling in the all-consuming trap of offense.

Why do I say that offense is an all-consuming trap? Because often those who are offended easily are the same ones who seem to offend others easily, thus a vicious cycle is perpetuated. Also those who operate in the principal of offense even take up the offenses of others and make them their own. Offense is a principality of the mind that can permeate and damage all our relationships.

If He could forgive us, we can forgive others. Why do I say that?... If Christ is IN us, then His forgiveness is IN us also.

I believe that the root of offense is SELF... After all, I deserve better, and they should know that!

I once found myself in the situation of having made some major decisions based upon information and agreements made with a friend of mine. Soon I found that through unexpected and extenuating circumstances much of the information was incorrect and also the agreements were not kept. I had already made major changes based upon those decisions, and there was no going back now. I comforted myself with the truth that Father is sovereign in all things and I told myself that I was not offended... at least that's what I told myself.

It's hard for "spiritual" people to admit that we are offended. After all, how "un-spiritual" is being offended?... Certainly not me!... No, it is righteous indignation! Yeah, right.

So I let it brew under the surface, and for a long time. Then one day it all came boiling over and I gave them a "piece of my mind." As I really "let them have it" my words were met with a blank stare... they had no idea what I was talking about. That person had no recollection of any of the things I brought up. They hadn't lost a wink of sleep over my "issues." Now, don't sit there smirking too much. Something similar has probably happened to you also!

Needless to say it would have been pretty difficult for me to keep holding on to things that the other person was not even aware of. At that point, I threw up my hands and said, "OK God, I get the message!"

How many of us go through our entire lives holding on to offenses that the "offender" is not even aware of? Don't fall into the trap of offense! Offense restricts our ability to move on, to move forward. Offense is a cancer, a silent killer.

Just listen to the way the word "offense" rolls off your tongue. What does it sound like?... "a fence." Too many are "fenced in" by offense! Father did not design us to live as prisoners inside the fence of offense. Fences take away our freedom, they keep us bound within confines. Fences also do not let other people in. Just ponder the spiritual parallel for a moment... Ask Father if the "fence" of offense is there in your heart. I know that there will be some who are offended by my mere suggestion that there might be offense in their heart. The first step in any healing is admitting that there is a problem.

For the most part, offended people fall into two categories- those who believe they were treated wrong, and those who really were treated wrong. The actual facts, whether one really was treated wrong, or whether one believes they were treated wrong, is of little consequence in the devastating effects of offense. Even if it is all in your head and nobody actually treated you bad, if you believe it, you empower it.

The only cure for offense is for it to be removed from your heart... The only cure for offense is forgiveness. Remember, forgiveness takes a specific debt that has already manifested- a sin, a hurt, an offense, and sends it away, causing it to cease to exist. Forgiveness takes things that ARE seen and makes them a non-reality.

Keep in mind that forgiveness does NOT mean that what the other person did was really ok. It doesn't mean that they are "getting away" with it. It DOES mean that you are releasing yourself from the prison of offense. The question is not whether they deserve to be forgiven... the question is, how long do you want to be in the prison of offense? Don't wait for the other person to ask for forgiveness. Don't let them be the one who holds the key to your prison cell. You can't move forward in your relationship with Father if you are holding on to bitterness and unforgiveness.

Jesus felt everything you are feeling, and much worse on the cross. His response was, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34) If He could forgive us, we can forgive others. Why do I say that?... If Christ is IN us, then His forgiveness is IN us also.

"Ok, Doug, I get it... I know I need to forgive. So give me something practical to help me DO it!" Although not exhaustive, here are some pointers I picked up from a friend on the "how to":
1. Prayer, lots of it! Ask Father to make His forgiveness flow through you. Let Father show you the other person through His eyes.
2. Do not hang on to the "victim" syndrome, don't wallow in self pity. You are not a victim, you are an overcomer!
3. If possible, surround yourself with those who love and respect you. Be a part of a body of believers that can encourage and support you.
4. Rid yourself of bitterness and anger that can build a "protective wall" so NO ONE can get in to hurt you again.

The bottom line is this- forgive even if the other person has no remorse!

In pursuing forgiveness there is rule of thumb we would be wise to observe. In fact, chances are that at some time in your life you have seen a sign on a fence that says, No Dumping! This is especially true when breaking out of the "fence" of offense- No (spiritual) Dumping!

I still vividly remember many years ago how wonderful this particular church service was going. Our pastor had spoken on offense and forgiveness, and there seemed to be such a wonderful release in the Spirit. At the end of the message there was a time for people to pray publicly or something like that. At any rate, a dear brother came up to me, as I was in the front area of the sanctuary. He proceeded to tell me (in the microphone in front of the whole church) how greatly offended he had been with me and how he had been harboring resent and ill feelings for months... but now he was forgiving me. I stood there stunned, as I had absolutely no idea what he was talking about, I had no recollection of any incident that had happened.

You see, it was all in his mind... and it should have stayed there! He basically took all his "spiritual garbage" and dumped it all on me. Of course he felt much better. I felt rotten, and I felt rotten towards him!

Don't let dealing with your offense become an offense to someone else!

Here's the rule of thumb- If it is an offense where both parties are aware of the circumstances and both parties are involved, then go to the other person and make it right. If you are offended and the other person has no idea of it, then just deal with it between you and Father. Don't be a spiritual "dumper!"

Forgiveness is perhaps one of the strongest spiritual forces that there is. Remember, forgiveness takes a specific debt that already exists- a sin, a hurt, an offense- and sends it away, causing it to cease to exist. Forgiveness takes things that ARE seen and makes them a non-reality.

I believe that the power of forgiveness can change the world. The power of Father's forgiveness toward us in the sacrifice of His Son has already changed the world. Imagine the glory of that same power of forgiveness being released through many "sons"... "For it became Him, for Whom are all things, and by Whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory..." (Hebrews 2:10)

This is such a huge issue that Jesus charges us, "Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained." (John 20:23) The power of forgiveness! This is the ministry He has given us, "...and hath given to US the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the WORLD unto Himself, NOT IMPUTING their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto US the word of reconciliation." (2 Corinthians 5:18-19) If Father does not impute trespasses... why should we?

Forgiveness... not just a word, not just a good idea, not just something we are supposed to do.... it is the spiritual force that changes the world!

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