May 7, 2024 Devo

One of the discoveries I’ve made in life is that there are some things that you simply cannot buy. That’s why I think it’s interesting that the word Jesus uses here in our verse today is the word “debts.” He’s making the point that we “owe” God. And we do. Big time. We owe Him for life. We owe Him for this magnificent world He put us on. We owe Him for all the amazing blessings we receive every single day. How do you put a price tag on all that? You can’t. We can’t earn it, buy it, or barter for it. It’s an unpayable debt.
The same is true of our sin. Our sin nature that we’re born with is a debt owed to God. Every sin we commit as we live out our lives in this wicked world is an added debt that is tacked on as well. From the moment we draw our first breath we have an unpayable bill owed to God. So how do we get “square” with Him? Through forgiveness. What we can’t pay Jesus says that God will willingly forgive. The debt is canceled as we seek God for forgiveness. What we can’t pay God gives us as a gift. Don’t you wish banks and credit card companies worked that way?
The twist that Jesus puts on this amazing exchange is a simple one, but one that we find hard at times. We are asked to forgive in the same way that we are forgiven. Now, most of us would jump at that opportunity if our earthly lenders gave us that option. Can you imagine the bank saying, “The debts on your house, your car, and all your credit cards are now canceled. All you have to do is cancel any debts people owe you.” I doubt that any of us would say, “No way! Do you think I’m going to let Jim get away with owing me $200? I won’t do it!” No, I think all of us of sane minds would JUMP at the chance to pass along a little debt-canceling when we’re being forgiven so much.
I think you get the idea. If God is willing to forgive us so much, why wouldn’t we forgive with a similar generosity? Jesus teaches us to readily go to God for His unlimited, amazing grace. But He also challenges us to live with a like-minded character. People can’t buy forgiveness from us any more than we can buy it from God. Whatever their debt, whatever their sin against us, there’s only one way they can receive it—as a gift. Abundantly we have received, may God help us to abundantly give! That’s God’s Word for you today.