I Forgive You
Good morning, everyone. This is Pastor S. Geoffrey Monts, and today I want to talk about something that’s been weighing on my heart—forgiveness. It’s a subject that often comes with a lot of pain and misunderstanding, but it’s also a path to immense healing and spiritual growth.
Personal Reflection
Recently, my wife and I celebrated 22 years of marriage with a quick weekend trip to Connecticut. We spent time with my mom, helped her with some things around the house, and even attended a Janet Jackson concert—a childhood dream of mine. During this trip, we had some deep conversations, which is one of the things I cherish most about traveling with my wife. We can disconnect from daily life and really talk about our dreams, desires, and even our issues.
In one of our discussions, I opened up about a family member who had broken my heart. I realized I had been holding onto resentment for this person for over ten years, not because they did something to me directly, but because they hurt someone I love. This revelation hit me hard. Here I was, praying, preaching, and living my life, all the while holding onto this grudge.
The Lesson from Mark 11
This brings me to Mark 11:20-26. As they were passing by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered from the root up. Being reminded, Peter said to Him, “Rabbi, look, the fig tree that You cursed has withered.” And Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted to him. Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted to you. Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions.”
Jesus and His disciples were walking when Peter noticed the fig tree Jesus had cursed earlier was now withered. This scene is powerful. Jesus used the fig tree to teach about faith and the power of our words. He emphasized that when we pray, we must forgive if we have anything against anyone. Holding onto unforgiveness blocks our blessings and keeps us from living the full life God intends for us.
The Power of Words
There’s a scripture that says, “Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit” (Proverbs 18:21). What we say matters. When we declare that we will never forgive someone, we are essentially cursing our own lives. Just as Jesus’ words caused the fig tree to wither, our words can cause spiritual withering in our own lives.
I had to confront this truth myself. For years, I let resentment towards a family member block the blessings God had for me. My wife suggested I write a letter to this person, but I realized the blockage was within me, not them. They didn’t even know I held a grudge. I had to release that resentment to receive God’s fullness.
Living in Prosperity
God wants us to live prosperous lives, not just financially, but in health, relationships, and overall well-being. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.” To step into this prosperous life, we must let go of unforgiveness.
Ephesians 4:32 tells us, “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” Forgiveness is a reflection of God’s grace towards us. When we forgive, we align ourselves with God’s will and open the door for His blessings to flow into our lives.
Final Thought
Forgiveness is not for the person who hurt you; it’s for you. It’s the key that unlocks the door to spiritual freedom and abundant life. Take inventory of your heart. Release any lingering resentment. Embrace forgiveness and experience the fullness of God’s blessings.
Scripture References:
- Mark 11:20-26 – “As they were passing by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered from the root up. Being reminded, Peter said to Him, ‘Rabbi, look, the fig tree that You cursed has withered.’ And Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Have faith in God. Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, “Be taken up and cast into the sea,” and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted to him. Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted to you. Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions.’”
- Proverbs 18:21 – “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
- Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.”
- Ephesians 4:32 – “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”
Let’s embrace the power of forgiveness and live the abundant life that God has promised us.
Blessings, Pastor S. Geoffrey Monts
Morning Meditation For Men 