What does forgiveness mean? Well, it means this – to absolve from payment or to cancel a debt. You may say, “What do you mean ‘to cancel a debt’?” Well, I’m glad you asked, because it’s this way. Most people who are holding unforgiveness in their heart feel that the person who has hurt them, owes them. How many times have you heard someone say, “I’ll forgive you this time, but you owe me?”

The reason they feel the person owes them is because in reality they haven’t forgiven that person. If they would have truly forgiven them, then they would have, “canceled the debt,” and nothing would have been owed.

Once I counseled with a lady who had been taken advantage of when she was young. She hated her father. When she got old enough to realize what he had taken from her, the hate began. The hate grew over the years. She felt that he owed her. Then he died. She was devastated. How could he die? He owed her. She felt that somehow he should have to give back the years of pain, sadness and fear. He owed her her youth.

Another mother gave away all her son’s inheritance while she was on her deathbed. She told him she did it just so he wouldn’t get anything. Then she died. For years this man carried around bitterness in his heart. He lived each day with this hurt. As he put it one day, it was eating him alive. Like a cancer, he was being destroyed. His mother owed him.

Both of these people felt they had a debt owed to them. Both of these people were consumed with bitterness and unforgiveness. They were depressed and miserable. Only one thing could solve their problem: they needed to cancel that debt.

Let’s get real here. There is no way that people who have wronged you can ever repay you what they have taken from you. You just have to let it go. Forgiveness means to let it go! You have to decide to cancel that debt. They can’t repay the years of hurt. Even if they wanted to, they couldn’t.

God is the One who restores, not man. You must let it go!

Satan does not want you to forgive anyone for anything. He wants you to hold on to every hurt and pain. He wants you destroyed and he knows that unforgiveness will do it.

Jesus said in Mark 11:24-26, “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses, but if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

Jesus said that if we didn’t forgive others, then God would not forgive us. We could elaborate on this, but how much clearer could Jesus be? If we don’t forgive, we won’t be forgiven.

Years ago there was a person who had me so upset and filled with unforgiveness that I was miserable. Then one day I realized all the time I was in misery, he was out having a good time. My unforgiveness was tearing me up inside, but it wasn’t affecting the other person at all. And that’s the way unforgiveness is. The one that is destroyed is the one who won’t forgive.

So, when you think of that person who has offended you, let it go!

Larry Ollison Ministries

All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Dr. Larry Ollison is founder and Senior Pastor of Walk on the Water Faith Church and founder of Larry Ollison Ministries. With over forty years in the ministry, he is a very popular speaker nationally and internationally and ministers the Word of Faith through radio, television, Internet, and daily e-mail devotionals. As the author of twelve books (including The Power of Grace, The Practical Handbook for Christian Living, Breaking the Cycle of Offense, Life is in the Blood, and recently released The Paradise of God), he is in frequent demand for radio/TV interviews, book signings, and magazine publications.

Dr. Ollison was raised a Southern Baptist. While majoring in theology at Southwest Baptist University, he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. For many years he traveled extensively speaking at Full Gospel Business Men's meetings and conventions. He later earned an M.A. in Theology and a Ph.D. and Th.D. from Life Christian University.

Currently President of International Convention of Faith Ministries (ICFM), Dr. Ollison is also Vice-President of Spirit FM Christian Radio Network, Missouri State Director of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), and a Trustee on the boards of several international ministries. He is also the host of The Cutting Edge Radio Broadcast and authors The Cutting Edge Daily Devotional.

As the owner of a marine dealership, his extensive business background brings a unique flavor to his teaching. He founded and served as chairman of the Missouri State Marine Board, President of the Marine Dealers’ Association, Vice-President of a bank holding company, along with holding several directorships in various corporations.

Dr. Ollison's strongest areas of teaching are the blood of Jesus, faith, relationships, the Hebrew language, the Holy Spirit, the end times, and heaven. During ministry, he operates freely in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. His use of humor and his ability to make a theological concept simple makes it enjoyable and easy for everyone to understand. Countless testimonies have been received from people who say their lives have been changed after experiencing Dr. Ollison's unique ministry.

Dr. Ollison is a pastor, pilot, teacher, and author. His number one goal is to meet the needs of the people through the teaching of faith in God's Word. He and his wife, Loretta, have two children and six grandchildren.

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