Mark 11 Devotions by Stephen Taylor

Mark 11:22-25

“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

Jesus is teaching us about faith and prayer. He is teaching us to trust God and believe in Him for all things, not to doubt or discredit something just because it seems too big or too much for us, to believe the unbelievable because our God is more than enough.

But what the Holy Spirit grabbed my attention with this morning was the final verse about forgiving one another. What I believe Jesus is saying here is that unforgiveness can block both your faith and your prayer life. He puts the word “and” in here, which connects the two truths. They aren’t two separate truths but one truth with two parts. Our refusal to forgive those around us produces in us bitterness, resentment, strife, chaos, and all kinds of things contrary to Christ. The only One who has the right not to forgive is the very One who paid the ultimate price for us to be forgiven!

Christ requires His disciples to follow Him and be more like Him than the world. One of the ways we do this is to forgive those around us regardless of the cost. Christ did it for us; will we do it for each other? This isn’t easy, but it is necessary, and He will help us to find the strength and courage to let go and find freedom in the forgiveness!

Matthew 18:21,22- Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”

God bless! I love you all, but His love bought our forgiveness! Glory, honor, and praise now and forever to Papa God, Jesus Christ our King, and the Holy Spirit!