Let’s Make A Deal

Whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.

Mark 11:25

The Latin phrase quid pro quo doesn’t have a very positive reputation in modern America. Literally, it means “something for something” and is most often heard in the realms of law and politics: “I’ll do this for you if you’ll do that for me.” There is a quid pro quo of sorts in the Bible. Jesus stated that the condition for having God forgive us of our sins is that we forgive others of their sins (Matthew 6:14-15). But isn’t the forgiveness of sin a gift of grace based on Jesus’ death on the cross? Definitely. Jesus was talking about fellowship with God, not eternal salvation. If we want to maintain our intimacy with God (if we want Him to forgive our sins), we have to maintain intimacy with others (we must forgive those who have wronged us). This is what Jesus taught the disciples (us) to pray: “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” (Matthew 6:12).

If there is someone who has wronged you and you’re having a hard time forgiving him or her, think of what happens when you do: God forgives you. That’s a good deal to make.

Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea until he has something to forgive.

C. S. LEWIS