Unforgiven Trespasses - Mark 11:26

Mark wrote how Jesus said, “What things soever you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them. And when you stand praying, forgive, if you have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses”, and in chapter eleven and verse twenty-six of his book, Mark shared how Jesus says, “if you do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses” where we read:

But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

The verse reads, “But if you do not forgive, ...” Mark began with the words, “but if” which means “however, nevertheless, nonetheless, notwithstanding, moreover and whether” “you do not forgive” or “Jesus' disciples do not give up, remit, keep no longer, permit, allow, forsake or lay aside” someone else's wrongs. Mark shared how Jesus referred to any of His disciples who do not “remit or lay aside” the wrongs of others against them.

The verse goes on to say, “... neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Mark continued with the words, “neither will your Father” which means “no and not in any way will Jesus' disciples Heavenly progenitor and Creator” “which is in heaven” or “who exists within the region above the sidereal heavens, the seat of order of things eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and other heavenly beings” “forgive your trespasses” which means “give up, remit, keep no longer, permit, allow, forsake or lay aside Jesus' disciples' failures, misdeeds and sin”. Mark shared how Jesus said God the Father would not “forgive” the “sins” of the person who does not “forgive” others' “sins” against them.

When we consider Mark's words in this verse, we discover one of the most daunting passages in the Holy Scriptures. Whether or not a person “forgives” others of their “misdeeds and sins” against them has a direct relationship as to whether God will “forgive” that person. In other words, to be “forgiven” by God of “sins” committed against Him, one must “forgive” others who have “sinned” against them. God sent His Son Jesus to die for the sins of all mankind so He may offer “forgiveness” of their sins and provide “everlasting life” to all who believe. This includes the power to “forgive” others even as they have been “forgiven”. The power of the Holy Spirit of God should be relied upon to “forgive” others, and when this is accomplished, a person may be assured of their own “forgiveness” as well. Otherwise, all who do not “forgive” will live “unforgiven” for all eternity.

Next time Mark shares how “the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders” come to Jesus again, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".