Luke 15:17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him Father, I have sinned against heaven and before thee,
When the father forgave the prodigal son, he felt he was obligated to work to pay back the father but the father did not even reply to his son’s overtures, for forgiveness is never to be based on what one can or cannot pay back. In fact, the elder brother in that parable, suffered from the very same syndrome as the prodigal son, for they both believed that the father’s goodness to them was predicated on what they did or didn’t do.
Luke 15:19 And I am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing. 28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. 29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends.
Salvation and forgiveness from God are full and free and they come with no strings attached, except the free service of love, through our freedom of choice. When in such a situation that may warrant forgiving someone, and we may experience difficulty in doing so, it would be well for us to contemplate the great debt God has forgiven us, and continues to forgive us, even to this day.
Luke 15:22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!