Does God expect us to forgive everyone for everything they’ve done to us?  In this message, Pastor Jamie Nunnally continues the series about the Lord’s Prayer, focusing on the line: "Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors." 

The Lord’s Prayer: Matthew 6:9-13 

Today, “forgive us our debts and we forgive our debtors.”

Forgiveness: Greek - to send away, release, or to set free with the implication to leave alone.

Debt: metaphor for sin.

Matthew 6:14-15 “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Forgiveness is a two-sided coin: heads, I’m forgiven. Tails, I forgive.

You can’t separate the receiving of forgiveness from the releasing of forgiveness. How you respond to other people’s sin reveals how much like Jesus you are.

We must accept God’s forgiveness.

1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 

God is more willing to forgive our sin than we are willing to admit our sin.

God wants you to admit your sin because you can’t be released from what you don’t recognize.

Ephesians 1:7 

Isaiah 43:25 

How often do you think about a bill you’ve already paid? You don’t. That's how often God thinks about your forgiven sin: He doesn’t. Quit reminding Him!

We must forgive ourselves.

We can only give what we have, so in order to forgive others, we must forgive ourselves.

2 Peter 1:8-9 

If you don't receive God's forgiveness, you will continue to do things that require God’s forgiveness. If you believe you're still a sinner, you will act like a sinner. If you believe you’re a saint, you will act like a saint.

Romans 8:1 

We must forgive others.

Colossians 3:13 “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”

Forgiving others is not:

1. Denying what happened.

2. Excusing sin.

3. Shielding someone from consequences.

4. A guarantee that someone will change. (If you need someone else to change or say sorry in order for you to be OK, you are their prisoner)

You don’t forgive people for them, you forgive people for you.

If you will forgive the people who hurt you, God will remove the pain they caused you.

How to forgive others:

1. Make the choice.

2. Engage the process.

Forgiveness is not just a point in time action; It’s a life-long decision.

3. Ask God for help.

“If heaven is where everyone is forgiven, and hell is where no one is forgiven, then forgiveness is bringing heaven down to earth, and unforgiveness is bringing hell up to earth.”

- Josh Howerton

When you pray do you ask God to forgive your debts just as you have forgiven your debtors?