Getting Out of Debt

All of us have debt.

If we don't have a mortgage, car payment, student (or parent) loan hanging over us, there could be a debt to a person who mentored us or showed kindness of mercy and we couldn't pay it back.

One debt or another has been a constant throughout my life.  About the time one loan is paid, another seems to pop up. 

Sins against others can be thought of debts.  Debts that we just can't work off over time.

Matthew 18: 21-35
At that point Peter got up the nerve to ask, “Master, how many times do I forgive a brother or sister who hurts me? Seven?”
   Jesus replied, “Seven! Hardly. Try seventy times seven.

   “The kingdom of God is like a king who decided to square accounts with his servants. As he got under way, one servant was brought before him who had run up a debt of a hundred thousand dollars. He couldn’t pay up, so the king ordered the man, along with his wife, children, and goods, to be auctioned off at the slave market.

  “The poor wretch threw himself at the king’s feet and begged, ‘Give me a chance and I’ll pay it all back.’ Touched by his plea, the king let him off, erasing the debt.
  “The servant was no sooner out of the room when he came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him ten dollars. He seized him by the throat and demanded, ‘Pay up. Now!’

  “The poor wretch threw himself down and begged, ‘Give me a chance and I’ll pay it all back.’ But he wouldn’t do it. He had him arrested and put in jail until the debt was paid. When the other servants saw this going on, they were outraged and brought a detailed report to the king.

  “The king summoned the man and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave your entire debt when you begged me for mercy. Shouldn’t you be compelled to be merciful to your fellow servant who asked for mercy?’ The king was furious and put the screws to the man until he paid back his entire debt. And that’s exactly what my Father in heaven is going to do to each one of you who doesn’t forgive unconditionally anyone who asks for mercy.”

This translation is from The Message Bible which makes Jesus' message pretty clear.

We are the first defaulted borrower on our way to debtor's prison when the lien holder lets us off the hook.

That's pretty exciting stuff, until we see that person we work with who never made up for the way they wronged us.

It would be appropriate to forgive, but we can't - we want the pound of flesh so we can feel better.

In my experience, getting revenge doesn't usually leave a better feeling inside, it's more feeling like the old country song asking, "Is that all there is?"

Forgiveness - complete forgiveness - not only redeems the person who wrongs us, it frees our soul from carrying that black cloud along day after day.

It's natural to want the best for ourselves and be treated well at all times; however, we can lead the way by treating others the way we would want.   The adage that to get a friend, one must first be a friend is another way to think about it.

Fortunately, our merciful Father in heaven didn't wait for us to treat Him the way He should be treated - instead we are forgiven and blessed with abundant love.

We will always come up short trying to measure up to that - but it is a most excellent goal.

**Blogger's note - autumn arrives at 9:29 Central Daylight Time tonight and a special fall blog arrives then too.