Forgiveness always comes at a cost. – Tim Keller
Have you ever purchased something that was both free and very expensive at the same time? 🤔
That sounds like a paradox, right?
And yet, that is exactly what the Bible teaches us about forgiveness: it is incredibly costly—paid for at the highest price—yet available to us, for free!
One of the most beautiful illustrations of this paradox is found in the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32).
In the story, the rebellious younger son returns home and is welcomed by his father, restored to the family without any need for atonement, restitution or amends. His return and restoration cost him nothing.
This has caused people to say, “See, forgiveness should always be free.” And that’s true. It should always be free. But it never really is. Tim Keller writes:
“Mercy and forgiveness must be free and unmerited to the wrongdoer. If the wrongdoer has to do something to merit it, then it isn’t mercy, but forgiveness always comes at a cost to the one granting forgiveness.”
In the story of the Prodigal Son, the younger brother’s forgiveness came at an enormous cost to the elder brother. By welcoming the younger son back, the father effectively gave him a claim to another share of the estate—an inheritance that now came out of what rightfully belonged to the elder brother.
The father could not reinstate his youngest son except at the expense of his oldest son.
It’s the same in everyday life. If someone breaks your phone, for example, you have two options. You could demand that they pay for it, or you could forgive them (for free) and pay for it yourself.
Forgiveness always comes at a cost.
The forgiveness of our sins came at an immeasurably greater cost—the death of Jesus on the cross. He bore the full price of our sins so we could be freely welcomed home.
“How can the inner workings of the heart be changed from a dynamic of fear and anger to that of love, joy, and gratitude? Here is how. You need to be moved by the sight of what it cost to bring you home.” – Tim Keller
Thank Jesus today for the price He paid for your forgiveness.
