Outstanding Payments

Published October 29, 2025
Outstanding Payments

Scripture:

21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. 23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants… 
Matthew 18: 21 – 23


32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. 35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
Matthew 18: 32 – 35 

Devotional:

Forgiveness (debt cancellation) is of great importance to your Heavenly Father, God, and Marvelous King, Jesus! After all, God allowed His innocent son Jesus to be whipped, beaten, abused and sacrificed all so He could reconcile man to his original purpose of earthly rulership and governance under the influence of the Kingdom of God. 

If you claim to be a follower of Christ and a citizen within His Kingdom, then you are required to do what Jesus did – forgive the sinners, especially your brothers, sisters, and mothers in the body of Christ! However, if you decide you want to have a part-time or full-time job as a debt collector, then understand, according to Matthew 18:34, you will receive torture during your time of employment. In Greek, the definition for the word translated as jailer is:

Basanistés – a guard in a prison, whose function was to torture prisoners as a phase of judicial examination – prison guard, torturer”

Forgiveness is a spiritual law, and just like in the earthly legal system, every law that is broken has an associated consequence depending on the severity. Sometimes a fine is given, community service might be required, or even time spent in prison. Likewise, when the spiritual law of forgiveness is broken, the consequence is being placed in a spiritual prison and receiving your own personal torturer. What does spiritual torment look like? It can be experienced as sleepless and restless nights, nightmares, bodily pain/sickness, relationship issues, etc. I know that there are many other things that can give those symptoms as well; therefore, it is important for you to seek your Heavenly Father to see if you need to release any debts so that you can be released.   

Response:

  • Read Matthew 18: 21 - 35 in order to get the complete context.
  • Read Matthew 18:27, as that outlines the process for how to release forgiveness. Depending on what happened to you, it can be difficult to forgive, but it’s not impossible. First, ask your Heavenly Father to help you see the offender the way that He sees them. Having His sight will help you have compassion. Second, invite Jesus to help you forgive because His blood is the only key to freedom. Third, declare verbally, out of your mouth that the person is debt free in relation to you. 

    • Prayer:

    Heavenly Father, thank you for revealing the spiritual law of forgiveness. Please reveal to me all the debts that I am holding against other people, and help me as I go through the forgiveness process. I love you and am grateful for the compassion and mercy that you show me every day. Amen!