© 14 Colin Melbourne
Christians Forgive Everyone Everything
Q: If a Christian doesn’t forgive someone does that mean they lose their salvation? Mark 11:25-26 seems to say so plainly
A: Here’s the full passage in context, Mark 11:20-26 KJV;
And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
Elementary Truth
Christ is teaching about bible faith, effective prayer, and forgiving.
Basic Gospel truths that everyone must comprehend to enjoy life in God’s kingdom on Earth.
Smith Wigglesworth reminded us of the importance of learning how to “saith”.
Unless you believe you receive when you “saith”, you never will see it.
Kenneth Hagin reminded us of the power of this passage in overcoming sickness.
And remember that these promises pivot on fulfilling verses 25 and 26;
And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
Forgive: Or Forget Heaven
God in the Flesh preached; forgive ought against any, or God will not forgive us our sins and errors.
Since Jesus used the term “Father” in making His point, it is reasonable to ask; if a Christian holds a grudge, do they lose their salvation?
The bible answer is, “No, they don’t lose their salvation, if they hold unforgiveness in their heart.”
Unforgiveness is sin, spiritual rebellion; it destroys a Christian’s fellowship with God, but not His Covenant relationship. Father has given His Word, and so we remain under God’s grace.
What did Jesus mean when He said;
And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
He says that anybody who doesn’t forgive, will not be forgiven by God: And scripture cannot be broken.
It stands eternal: Christ meant every word.
If you have unforgiveness
Does reading it leave you convicted and condemned?
Good, that’s precisely why He said it.
If you are a Christian, get rid of every trace of unforgiveness in your heart; to hold onto it disgraces the Lord who already forgave your mountain of sin; obliging you to forgive ought against any who has sinned against you.
“But they haven’t asked my forgiveness, so how can I forgive them?”
Quick to Forgive
It makes no difference; you forgive their sin immediately it occurs, or you sin.
A Christian instantly forgives whatever; offence, cruelty, violence, injustice, or indignity comes in their brief journey to Glory, whether the offender repents or not.
This is basic Christian discipleship.
Why didn’t anybody tell me?
Does this come as new to you? If so, you better go back, start over, and get it right this time.
Now, let’s answer the original question. The key is that…
Everything changed at the Cross and Pentecost
When Christ uttered those precious words from God, He was speaking under the Old Covenant to Old Covenant people under Law.
He used the term “Father”, not in the spiritual relationship sense whereby a Christian knows God, but of Father our Creator, who made mankind. As, for example, prophesied by Malachi 2:10;
Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?
Praise God for the New Covenant in His Blood; through which we stand by grace from first to last: Blood-washed children of the Living God.
In this world we are like Him
Since we bear His perfect righteousness, with free access to Father, and all the resources of Heaven, we are obliged to be merciful and gracious to others: Just as He has been, and will remain, towards us.
The LORD makes this identical point in the parable of the unmerciful servant.
Read Matthew 18 anew with fresh understanding, and the Lawful meaning of the final passage will become clear from our New Covenant perspective. Mtt. 18:32-35 KJV;
Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
Got it?
Praise God! Now you understand rightly.
Aren’t you glad Christ has fulfilled the Law for us, and sealed the New Covenant of grace with His Blood?
That is why you can forgive ought against any, and must do so.
It’s not difficult for a Christian.
Is it?
© 14 Colin Melbourne