Matthew 6:12 (NKJV)

And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.

Bible Commentary

Matthew 6:12 is a Bible verse from the famous Lord’s Prayer. Many of us know this entire prayer from memory and maybe recite it in church. It is the model prayer given to us from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (Matthew 6:9-13).

Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. ¹⁰Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. ¹¹Give us this day our daily bread. ¹²And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. ¹³And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

We can easily let this prayer roll off our tongues without giving the meaning of the words their proper importance, particularly verse 12: And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.

The key to prospering in this life is to become more and more like Jesus Christ. As we take on the righteousness and beauty of His heart, we attract the favor of God and the riches of His Kingdom. His grace is always with us, but there is a heavenly level of prosperity we can have here in this life on earth as we master the art of forgiveness.

Heaven on Earth

In the same model prayer, Jesus also said Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.

We can have heaven on earth in our minds, hearts and souls—an intimate communion with Christ–by following Him and forgiving others as He has forgiven us. This is where freedom is. This is where promotion is and where there is a deeper and lasting connection with our Heavenly Father.

There are great consequences to harboring grudges and secret resentments in our heart. Jesus also said in Matthew 11:26,

But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.

We must be made aware that our judgments and condemnations (another form of unforgiveness) toward others come back to us in one way or another.

Luke 6:37 Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

If we want to live in heaven here on earth, we must begin the journey of forgiving, which starts by examining our own hearts for the truth. Remember, Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. As we surrender to Him and seek the truth, He reveals it and brings healing like no physician or counselor on earth could ever do.

Love covers the multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8). Jesus Christ is our Great Healer. Our journey to health—inside and out–starts with the truth and ends with mercy. Begin today.

Study the Bible verse of Matthew 6:12, and embark on a journey of mercy with Jesus Christ.