I love this beautiful meme by my friend, Lynn Mosher. This scripture was the base of my main message while in Cuenca, Ecuador. I was able to share this on several occasions.

God is speaking in a very specific way through this particular passage of scripture. This is something we need not only to hear, but to pray about and listen to what God has to say to us, His children. Whoever has ears, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches… –Revelation 2:7 NIV

You’ll find this repeated many times in the New Testament. Jesus included it in the Lord’s Prayer–forgive our sins as WE FORGIVE those who have sinned against us. In some versions, you’ll find this translated as “debts”. I think that’s interesting, because if you forgive someone’s debt, the debt is gone. They don’t owe you anymore. If you have ever taken bankruptcy, you know exactly how this feels. You walk out of the courtroom feeling free.

Our Father wants us to have this experience, and He wants us to share it–by forgiving; releasing the sins of others committed against us. This not only frees the other person, it frees you, too.

It’s not always an easy thing to do, but I hope you will consider it. Don’t pass this to the next generation. Let it go. Teach your children how to forgive one another, and in so doing, you’re showing God’s love and teaching them to love also.

Jesus was once asked, “Master, which is the greatest commandment in the law?”

He answered: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” –Matthew 22:37-40 NIV