Forgiveness

"And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses." Mark 11:25 NKJV

Definition: Forgiveness is to cease to blame or feel resentment about (an offense or offender). to cancel or let off (a debt). pardon.

I'm sure that everyone has had someone to offend them or do something that you didn't like, you may have wanted to hold on to that offense. You may have deleted their phone number or changed your phone number. You may even have moved out of town so that you wouldn't see them or so that they could not come in contact with you. You may have been right and that person may have done you wrong but as long as you hold on to that offense you are stopping your blessing. God cannot forgive you and will not forgive you because he called you out of darkness into the light of His love. Unforgiveness does you more harm than it does the person that harmed you. You see that person that harmed you may have forgotten about the situation, but left you there holding on to the offense. That offense eats at you like a cancer and can cause sickness and even death, spiritually and even physically in the long run. Believe me; no one wins only the devil. Let's look at our text scripture; Mark 11:25 "And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him (or her),that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses." You see the first step you have to take is to forgive. You may think that you have been justified in holding on to that offense but God would like to free you up from that offender. You may say, why would God want to free me up when the other person is wrong fordoing it? Why can't I just wait for that person to come and ask me to forgive them? Well, you see, God doesn't want your unforgiveness to interfere with your destiny or the anointing to succeed. He doesn't want that unforgiveness to end up as a root of bitterness. Unforgiveness is a stronghold which leads to the root of bitterness, and both are sin. God does not want your prayers to be hindered; He (God) does not want you to give place for the evil one; Ephesians 4:27 NKJ, "Neither give place to the devil". In Matthew 26:31.35 NKJV we see (Jesus predicts Peter's denial): "Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter answered and said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.” Jesus said tohis heart. Jesus was preparing Peter for a trail that he would have to go through. I know what you are thinking, if Jesus knew Peter would deny him why did Jesus let it happen? Jesus did not let it happen, Jesus was revealing what was already in Peter's heart, Peter let it happen to himself. Jesus prayed for Peter that his faith would not fail. Let's read Matthews 26:69-75 NKJV; "Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying, “You also were with Jesus of Galilee.” But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are saying.” And when he had gone out to the gateway, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth.” But again he denied with an oath, “I do not know the Man!” And a little later those who stood by came up and said to Peter, “Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you.” Then he began to curse and swear, saying, “I do not know the Man!” Immediately a rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So he went out and wept bitterly. Under pressure; what's in your heart will come out.