Prosperity

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth! 3rd John 2

God has given us “exceeding great and precious promises” 1 Peter 1:4, however, the promised blessings do not come automatically: All require faith and patience (Hebrews 6:12); some are conditional based on obedience (Hebrews 10:36).

The promise of prosperity is based on our obedience in forgiving! Forgiving men their trespasses so ours will be forgiven; forgiving men their debts so our debts will be forgiven and we can become debt free.

Matthew 18:23-35 tells us plainly if we do not forgive others their trespasses, God will not forgive our trespasses, and in fact will turn us over to the “tormentors.” The “tormentors” are Satan and his fallen angels. Unforgiveness is one of the devices Satan uses to gain advantage over us (2 Corinthians 2:10-11).

This is how the enemy works: He finds someone close to you and uses them to offend you in some way. Then he brings anger to you so that you’ll take the offence and walk away angry and unforgiving. When this happens you walk away from God and then the enemy has got you. As you walk in unforgiveness you will either be turned over to the tormentors or locked into debt. This is why so many Christians are tormented or deep in debt, seemingly unable to break free.

Jesus tells us in John 20:23 “Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.” When you remit someone’s sins you give God a chance to work in their lives and you keep yourself in the love of God. When you retain someone’s sins they are credited to your account and you become trapped in sin and separated from God.

“When ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses” Mark 11:25. Trespassing is not debt. Trespass: a violation of moral or social ethics, an unlawful act committed on the person, property or rights of another.* If someone were to lie to you or lie about you they would have trespassed against you. If you found out and would not forgive (from the heart), God could not forgive you and would turn you over to the tormentors.

“Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors” Matthew 6:12. Debt is not trespassing. **Debt: 1 to owe. 1a to owe money, be in debt for.** If someone borrowed $100.00 from you then they would be in debt to you. If they could not or would not pay you back and you would not forgive the debt, your debts would not be forgiven either and you would not be able to become debt free.

Join us today on the path to prosperity and health by asking God to examine your heart and reveal to you anyone that you need to forgive (you may have forgotten someone). Then let Him help you forgive from your heart and you will be set free!

*Merriam – Websters Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth Edition, 1993*
**Strongs Enhanced Lexicon**