Heavenly Father, “Forgive us our debts, as we also HAVE forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” Live in the past tense of forgiveness and continue to extend His mercy and grace towards all. The first condition for receiving God’s forgiveness is that we have forgiven others. “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:12-15

The 2nd condition for receiving our Father’s pardon is our confession of our personal errors, our rebellion, pride, resentment, bitterness, anger and our resistance to obey and admit our part in a broken relationship. James 5:16 “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” Losing our connection to God destroys our ability to love and care for others and ourselves. Satan’s bait is offense. God’s method of defense is that we walk in forgiveness. Our Father desires that we reconcile our differences so we can work in unity.

If we insist on keeping a record of wrongs, our resentment and root of bitterness will progressively worsen. Galatians 6:1-7 “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without COMPARING themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load. Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the Word should SHARE all GOOD things with their INSTRUCTOR. Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” Who is our INSTRUCTOR? The Holy Spirit will guide us.

The root of bitterness defiles many others. How does it affect you to be around quarrelsome, angry people who speak words of hate? Bitterness is extremely contagious and it infects the mind of man to justify his contempt. Bitterness invades our joy, it weakens relationships, it desecrates that which our Father calls holy. Hebrews 12:15-17 “See to it that no one FALLS short of the GRACE of God and that no BITTER ROOT grows up to cause trouble and DEFILE many. See that no one is sexually immoral, or is GODLESS like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. Afterward, as you know, when he WANTED to inherit this BLESSING, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could NOT change what he had done.” Did Esau ever pull out the root of his pride, his bitter envy? Did he confess to God his need for instant gratification?

Psalm 119:103… “How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart. You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.” Jesus tells us stories so we can see how His kingdom thinking works. A king learned of a citizen who walked out of prison without gratitude. This citizen had just been forgiven a multi-million dollar debt. The kings law had never changed. “Forgive as you have been forgiven.” Remember: Our choice to obey brings blessing.

As the citizen left the debtors prison, he quickly demanded payment of a 12 dollar debt. This resulted in the king’s decision to return this citizen to prison and turn him over to the tormentors. Jesus taught, “In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. This is how My heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.” Matthew 18:34 The Kingdom of God is not a democracy. We do not vote on God’s justice system. We choose to obey or suffer. Our King of kings is Sovereign, and His way is best and just.

Ephesians 4:27 explains the legal rights we hand over for the tormentors to enter. “In your anger do not sin” : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.” Walk in humility and forgive quickly. We choose to work out our salvation by engaging the Holy Spirit to lead us in the Way. If we freely choose to harbor unforgiveness, then we will be justly tormented. Be kind and forgive

Be quick to listen and slow to speak. Be diligent in guarding your heart. What flows out from our hearts indicates what kingdom we are serving. Light or darkness? Genesis 1:3-4 God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.” ❤️ Matthew 4:16 “the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” ❤️ Matthew 6:22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light.” ❤️ Matthew 10:27 “What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs.” AMEN