DCLM Higher Everyday 31 July 2025 — Forgiving Begets Forgiveness

Topic: Forgiving Begets Forgiveness

Text: Mark 11:24-26

24Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

25And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

26But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

Key Verse: 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” (Mark 11:25).

Message

Hurts, offences and bruised feelings are stark consequences of our human relationships. And unfortunately, the people that hurt us most are close relatives and loved ones – think of Cain and Abel, Esau and Jacob, Joseph and his brethren. And such offences are often difficult to overlook or forgive. According to the word of God, “A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city…” (Proverbs 18:19). Life offers us plenty of opportunities to feel unforgiving. The trouble is, lack of forgiveness does more damage to us than to the offender.

Also Read: DCLM Higher Everyday 30 July 2025 – A Prophet Under Pressure

When we don’t forgive, we grow hardened, untrusting, sour, and bitter. When we refuse to forgive, we hinder our faith, fellowship and favour from God. Our own offences will not be forgiven and our prayers will not be answered. Forgiveness could be hard. In fact, it requires the grace of God to write off the debts accumulated from other peoples’ offences. But you must forgive because that is the right thing to do. Decide to forgive. Determine to forgive. Depend on God and he will give you grace.

Quote: Determine to forgive

Challenge: It requires the grace of God to write off the debts.

Prayer for today: O God, take away the spirit of not forgiving from me.

GOSPEL REALM: STEPS TO SALVATION
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)