Forgiveness Is Biblical

Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone.
–Mark 11:25

Imagine that you’re in the middle of your daily time with God. You’re praying or reading the Bible when suddenly you remember the hurtful words a friend said to you last week. Their words stung, but you ignored the hurt and tried to forget about it. Now you’re remembering those hurtful words again. How should you respond?

Some people would say, “Jesus taught that you need to quit worshiping and go be reconciled to that person.” It’s true; in Matthew 5:23–24, Jesus said, “If you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.”

In this passage, Jesus was emphasizing the importance of having a clear conscience. A clear conscience is the knowledge that no one, including God, can accuse you of a wrong you have not attempted to make right. If you are trying to worship God and you remember that somebody has something against you, then you need to try to make that wrong right.

But that’s not the situation I was describing. In my example, it’s not that your friend has something against you that you need to go apologize for; it’s that you have something against your friend because they hurt you. Jesus addressed this situation in Mark 11:25: “Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions.”

See the difference? If you’re worshiping God and you remember that somebody else has wronged you, are you supposed to drop everything and try to reconcile with that person? No. Right there in the privacy of your bedroom, church pew, or wherever you are, you are to forgive your offender. You have the ability to let go of what you have against them and get on with your worship. It doesn’t matter what your offender does or doesn’t do. It doesn’t matter where your offender is–they could be in the next room, in the next state, or even in the cemetery. Jesus said you have the ability in your own heart to begin and end the forgiveness transaction.

Today’s devotion is adapted from “Forgiving Sorry People Who Aren’t Sorry,” by Dr. Robert Jeffress, 2015.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org.