The Cost of Forgiveness

"...forgiveness is free and unconditional to the perpetrator, but it is costly to you...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 the forgiveness."

-Tim Keller, The Prodigal God, p. 83

It may seem trite and obvious, but this statement has more weight when you are faced with the decision to forgive or not. When you're there, come back to this quote for a wake-up. Or if you think you have forgiven, check yourself with this.

And then look at this puppy holding a stuffed animal: