BECOMING DEBT FREE – January 25, 2014 Ephesians 4:32; Matthew 6:12; Hebrews 12:15; Matthew 18:21-35 Last I heard the federal debt is in the 8 trillion dollar range. Personal debt is estimated at 3 times that amount. Like any loan, interest must be paid, and just paying the interest on such debt consumes a sizable portion of our resources and productivity. The point is this: it takes allot of energy to nurture debt. I got my feelings hurt once and was pretty upset about it. I figured the person who offended me owed me, so I held on to that debt for awhile. It takes allot of emotional and spiritual energy to nurture debt! I wonder what our national debt of unforgiveness would look like if it were measured in dollars. Hurt is not sin. But our response to hurt can be. When we fail to release the “debt owed” to us, real or imagined, we in fact become the ones who are indebted, bound and trapped by our own unforgiveness. It gets worse. Unforgiveness throws a party and invites his closest friends, resentment and bitterness. These three are real “party animals” and when they get together they always do extensive damage to the sensitive spiritual and emotional furnishings of our spiritual homes. They wound and scar, “a scar is born.” (Heb.12:15). The wonderful thing is that hurt doesn’t have to wound. Rather through the power of forgiveness a scar can be “born again!” We are commanded to release others from the “debt” they owe us and to extend to them the same grace we ourselves have received from God. (Mt. 6:12. Eph. 4:32) Forgiveness is perhaps the most profound and radical truth of the “upside down kingdom.” At great personal cost, God showed mercy to us, He has not given us what we deserve. God models for us the power of forgiveness in the cross. We are empowered and inspired to extend the same mercy to others which we ourselves have been shown, “freely you received, freely give.” (Mt. 10:8) Consider: “God, is there any unresolved debt in my heart?” “Have I truly forgiven those who have hurt and offended me?” Pause now and ask God to reveal your heart to you. Prayer Focus Let’s pray that people at Agape Church will live debt free in all of our relationships. Pray that we can see the incredible mercy and forgiveness offered us in the cross and then give that to those who hurt us.
Posted on: Sat, 25 Jan 2014 12:00:00 +0000
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