Forgiving our debtors, finding freedom

I have been thinking about the practice of Christian Science in relation to the Association assignment. One important aspect of participating in Christian Science practice is the willingness to actually do what Jesus tells Christians to do—to use his step-by-step instructions for salvation as more than merely helpful guidelines. Recently I experienced the impact of two of his commands: “Forgive our debtors” and “Him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also.” (Matt. 6:12; Luke 6:29)

In February, I suddenly had to move out of my apartment because my roommate had started losing control of himself more frequently, shouting and breaking things, etc. His family became very hostile. They blamed me for all his difficulties—in spite of the fact that his episodes were predictable to them and had predated our living together. (I had not been informed of his mental condition before we became roommates.) His family and friends were very opposed to Christian Science, and this came up in our correspondence during my move.

With the help of a practitioner, I largely avoided the distractions thrown at me and saw each step unfold in an orderly manner. Within a week I was released from the lease and given a new apartment. I was able to move my belongings quickly, so an out-of-state trip the next week was not affected. Also unharmed was my sense of love and compassion for those who seemed to be presenting themselves as “enemies.”

The practitioner reminded me that, unlike other forms of communication, God’s word is not a suggestion. This brought a quick end to some physical symptoms that seemed to strike immediately after reading the suggestions in a particularly nasty email.

Jesus’ instructions became especially applicable after my move, when I calculated that my former roommate owed me a good deal of money. When I contacted him about this, his responses (and those from his family) turned from defensive to accusatory. I was feeling trapped, as I only wanted to tie up the loose ends and move on with my new living arrangement. 

A phone call to my parents quickly broke the mesmerism, and I soon saw the usefulness of that week’s Bible Lesson on Christ Jesus. The Lesson included the story of finding tribute money in the fish’s mouth and Jesus’ profound promise, “Then are the children free.” (See Matt. 17:24–27.) I saw that paying the unjust tribute money did not harm Jesus and his disciples, but doing so protected them from unnecessary hatred. I realized that following Jesus’ example would instantly free me from a great deal of effort and exposure to mental attacks. So I decided to forgive my “debtor.” Although this course of action would involve an unjust loss of funds, it would allow me to get on with serving God and fulfilling my purpose at the university, rather than serving a human sense of vindication. I looked around at my new apartment, which I had plenty of income to pay for, and realized that there were no further steps between me and a harmonious home, unsoiled by the disturbing mental atmosphere I had overcome. God’s law was sufficient to sustain me and provide whatever was necessary for the progress of my former roommate. His only real debt was to God, not to me.

Since then, I have had no further contact with my former roommate or his friends and family, and a threat by a member of his family to come to my new home did not materialize.

I am grateful for the selfless assistance I received from friends at school and church. My new home is peaceful and comfortable—a great blessing as my schedule is temporarily filled to the brim.