If we want to move mountains by faith, then we need both to believe God and forgive others.
There is a connection between faith and forgiveness. Jesus said:
“Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” (Mark 11:22–25, ESV)
This monumental teaching by Jesus on great faith concludes by talking about greatly forgiving others.
And he does not set the bar low. He says to “forgive, if you have anything against anyone.”
“Anything” includes an unforgivable offense, a deeply evil deed that hurt you dearly and can never be repaid.
“Anyone” includes that person you despise.
Believing God and forgiving others
Can we move mountains in the world without removing mountainous grudges in our hearts?
Jesus answers that question with a parable. When Peter posed a question about forgiving others, Jesus said:
“Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt.
Gross hypocrisy
“But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt.
Justice is done
“When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.” (Matthew 18:23–35, ESV)
It’s not worth it
According to this parable, we cannot even be saved without forgiving others. So, can an unsaved person move mountains by faith?
Suppose a truly regenerate person struggles with forgiving someone. That is, they alternate between seasons of forgiveness and bitterness. Will they be able to maintain strong faith that their prayers will be answered?
Only God knows, but if none of your faith and prayers seem to be answered over a long period of time, and you are in and out of a grudge regularly, that might explain ineffective faith.
If you get offended regularly, if you feel resentment often, if you are angry with others on a daily basis, if you hate the person who hurt you, that may explain why your faith is feeble and your prayers go nowhere.
Takeaway
Jesus’s expansive promise about faith and prayer is followed by an emphatic call for forgiveness. They are connected. No grudge is worth weakening your faith, or worse, voiding your salvation. Do not give bitterness one square inch of your heart or one slim second of your time. When bitterness knocks, and you open the door, slam that door shut in his face. Do not let anything keep you from being established in faith.