“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
Mark 11:25 NIV
Trespass
According to Canadian legislation, “Every person who, without lawful excuse, loiters or prowls at night on the property of another person near a dwelling-house situated on that property is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction.” The police can arrest the trespasser if there is a danger, or charge them with a crime if the trespass is serious. It is a criminal offence to loiter or prowl at night on the property near someone’s home. Charges for criminal trespass are dealt with in criminal court.
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The moment we confess our sins and repent, turning our backs on that sin, and invite Jesus into our lives to be Saviour and Lord, our sins are forgiven. The sin and guilt from our past is removed forever. I wish I could say that from then on we never sin, but both you and I know that isn’t the case. While our desire changes, and we want to live a life that honours the Lord, we are still on this side of Glory, so we slip and fall. We need to continue to ask God’s forgiveness regularly. There is one major caveat that God sets for us and Jesus speaks clearly about it in Mark 11:25: “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 spoke these words to those who were already His followers, who had already experienced His transforming power. They are words for us. If you want to continue to experience the peace that comes when there is nothing standing between you and the Father, you have to forgive as you have been forgiven.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley