Cancel the Debt

As I think of debt, I think of something that holds a great deal of power. When it comes to day-to-day life, we often work the majority of our lives paying our debt off. We must work to make that monthly payment that comes whether we like it or not. We make sacrifices when things get a little tight and have to decide where we can make up the difference. So, debt holds a great deal of power over us. When I think of how God views debt and forgiving debt I think of Matthew 18.

“Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.””

Matthew 18:22-35 NKJV

The power of canceling debt carries even more power than the debt itself. When we have been done wrong, we could hold the debt, but the true expression of power is when we forgive the debt and give freedom when we could hold the wrong. The most important takeaway from this passage of scripture is if God forgives us, then we must forgive others. God views this as healing not only for the accused but the accuser.

Pastor Benaiah Snider