"Cancelling Debts" : HEARTLIGHT® Magazine

Cancelling Debts

by Jim Clark

David McAllister was a blind, weak, and lonely 77-year old dying in a nursing home. Earlier he had confessed to the abducting and shooting of a young man twenty-two years ago. Chris Carrier went to the nursing home and visited this elderly man.

People were stunned to hear that Chris had befriended Mr. McAllister. For you see, Chris was the victim of McAllister's crime. The young man had survived the shooting but was left blind in one eye. However, he refused to harbor bitterness towards his assailant. While McAllister lay on his death bed, Chris told him he forgave him and that he held no feelings of revenge -- just friendship. These two unusual friends visited and prayed together the last three weeks of McAllister's life.

Why was Chris so forgiving of this vicious crime? If you added a "t" to his last name, you'd know why. It was Christ in him that gave him the power to forgive his attacker.

Jesus said, "if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." I believe Chris Carrier is freed from bitterness towards his assailant because Jesus set his heart free.

Has Christ set your heart free? Or has your resentment towards someone who's hurt you kept you in bondage? If so, right now go to the Lord in prayer and confess to Him any lack of forgiveness brewing in your heart. And remember -- you're not alone in this difficult process. As Christ forgives you, if you ask Him, He'll give you the power to forgive -- just like He gave Chris the power to forgive David McAllister.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of malicious behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Follow God's example in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love for others, following the example of Christ, who loved you and gave himself as a sacrifice to take away your sins. And God was pleased, because that sacrifice was like sweet perfume to him.

Are you presently experiencing a new life? God's word says, "if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" This new life is a free gift of God through faith Jesus Christ. If you want to know more about this life that only Jesus can give you, sign up for one of our Bible courses. Wherever you are in life, whatever you've done, you can begin again. You may also contact Jim Clark at jimclark@abilene.com if you have questions about becoming a new creation.