Forgiveness, a key to having a right relationship with God (Mark 11:25)

“Whenever you stand up to pray, you must forgive what others have done to you. Then your Father in heaven will forgive your sins.” (Mark 11:25 CEV)

Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to forgive. In this we have to look to Jesus for help. According to Mark 11:26, it is a vital element of our receiving forgiveness from Father.

Whether the forgiveness is for something small or great it blocks our communication with God.

“You must forgive what others have done to you. Then your Father in heaven will forgive your sins.”

Our Heavenly Father wants to forgive us, but He will not go against His word. John 15:7 tells us that “If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

In order to be Kingdom minded we live by the Kings commands, His way of doing things. God will never go against His word, but He will move heaven and earth to make it happen when we come to Him on His terms. 

Matthew 5:23-24  tells us that even our offerings are not accepted until we forgive.

In Matthew 18:21-35 Jesus is teaching a parable on the Kingdom of Heaven. He tells of a man who owed a great debt and pleaded with the king for mercy. The king grants him mercy. However; this man goes out and refuses to show mercy to one who owes him little. When the king hears of this he brings the man back and hands him over to the tormentors until he pays all that is due. The only thing due is his forgiveness of the man who owes him little.

Not only does unforgiveness hinder our prayers and relationship with our heavenly Father, it also acquires torment.

Forgiveness is not ignoring or trying to forget what happened to you, it is a sin. According to 1 John 1:9 the way we get rid of sin and its torment is to confess it before God. Then we are able to forgive others and be cleansed from all unrighteousness. Our relationship with our heavenly Father is restored.

Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. (Romans 13:8 NIV)

You are not in this alone. Ask Jesus to forgive them through you. “I (you) can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (you).” (Philippians 4:13 NKJV)

Jesus demonstrated this on the cross when, “Jesus prayed, ‘Father, forgive them; they don’t know what they’re doing.” (Luke 23:34 MSG)

Spend time with the Lord today seeking people and situations in your life that needs forgiveness and receive Father’s forgiveness today. Amen!

Blessings on your day!

Karen