Free is God’s Highest Price
Bob Yandian
When God Calls Something Free
There is nothing in all of creation more valuable than salvation, and nothing more expensive than forgiveness. Yet the most priceless thing God ever offered is also the one thing man can never pay for. That is why salvation is free. And that is why forgiveness—both to the sinner and to the saint—can never be purchased with natural currency.
Jesus told a parable about a servant who owed his king an astronomical sum. The debt was so large it was intentionally exaggerated to make one point: you cannot pay. Whether you are a sinner coming for salvation or a Christian coming for forgiveness, the price is too high. But what is impossible for us is more than possible for God, for free is God’s highest price.
The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
Matthew 18:21-35 is the parable of the unforgiving servant. Jesus said the king took an account of his servants, and one man was brought before him who owed ten thousand talents or approximately $15 million. The story does not mention what he had done—it is beside the point. No man could repay it. The servant fell before the king, begging for mercy, promising he would “pay it all back,” though he could not pay a penny of it.
The king was moved with compassion, forgave the entire debt, and released him completely. But that same servant immediately found a man who owed him roughly fifteen dollars— pocket change—grabbed him by the throat, demanded repayment, and threw him in prison when he could not pay.
When the king discovered this, he reinstated the forgiven debt, not because of the money, but because of the servant’s complete unwillingness to show the same mercy he had freely received.
Jesus’ point was not about salvation for the sinner. It was a picture of a believer who sins. The king was not dealing with strangers; he was taking account of his servants. The issue was not how the servant became part of the kingdom, but how he behaved after being part of it.
The Severity of Sin in the Life of a Christian
Too often we minimize our failures. We excuse them, justify them, or hope time will make them disappear. But God does not treat sin lightly—not even “small” sins. Though Jesus paid for all sin on the cross, the ongoing fellowship between God and His children is interrupted when we sin.
Sin is not a minor irritation to God. It is serious enough that even the smallest act requires the application of divine currency. And that brings us to a major truth: heaven has its own currency, and earthly money can never purchase spiritual things.
Two Currencies in Heaven: Blood and the Word
Earth operates on dollars and cents, but heaven operates on something far higher.
God has only two forms of currency, and neither of them is money and these are the only two currencies that work in the spiritual realm:
The Blood of Jesus Christ
The Wisdom and Knowledge of God’s Word
Money can buy natural things—airtime on television, equipment for ministry, books, buildings, and the labor of those who preach the gospel. But money can never buy salvation. It cannot buy forgiveness, healing, deliverance, restoration, wisdom, or fellowship with God.
The Blood of Jesus Christ—For Forgiveness Only
The blood of Jesus was shed once and for all for the forgiveness of sins.
For the sinner, salvation requires the shedding of blood.
For the believer who sins, restoration requires only the sprinkling of blood, a drop compared to Calvary’s outpouring.
Just as washing your whole body makes you clean, but daily walking requires periodic washing of your feet, so being born again cleanses your whole spirit, but your daily walk must still be washed by the blood through confession (1 John 1:7–9).
The Word of God—For Life’s Circumstances
The second heavenly currency is the Word of God.
This is not for the forgiveness of sins but for conquering the pressures of life, resisting the attacks of Satan, and standing firm when everything around you collapses.
You cannot pay your way out of sickness. You cannot write a check to overcome fear. You cannot purchase stability during times of world crisis.
But you can return to God with His own Word and say: “Father, You said in Your Word…”
When Jesus faced Satan in the wilderness, He did not debate, philosophize, or negotiate. He simply declared: “It is written.”
Wisdom and understanding from the Word become the stability of your times (Isaiah 33:6). Job said that gold, silver, rubies, diamonds, and every precious stone are nothing compared to the value of divine wisdom (Job 28:13–19).
Heaven’s currency never fluctuates in value. It is as powerful today as when God first spoke it.
What Money Cannot Buy
Scripture is emphatic:
“None can by any means redeem his brother nor give to God a ransom for him.” Psalm 49:7–8
If you tried to pay for someone’s soul, you would pour out all your money until the day you died, and it still would not be enough.
“Jesus asked, “What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mark 8:37
Nothing you possess, including all the wealth of the world, can pay for salvation or for spiritual restoration.
Confession: Returning to God with the Right Currency
1 John 1:9 tells us that when we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us.
The word confess means to say the same thing, to agree with God.
We say, “It wasn’t that bad.” God says, “It was sin.” Confession is simply saying what God is saying.
Our tendency is to try to fix things with the wrong currency: more church attendance, increased giving, extra involvement in ministry, promises to “do better”
All of these are good things, but they cannot remove the stain of sin. You cannot use money or works to pay for what only the blood can cleanse.
The Problem of Trying to Pay Back Spiritual Debt
The greatest example of trying to pay spiritual debt with natural currency is seen in the realm of adultery and fornication. Few things destroy marriages, families, reputations, and ministries more quickly. “Whoever commits adultery lacks understanding.” Proverbs 6:32
In modern language: he is stupid. Not stupid intellectually, but morally and spiritually. He thinks he can walk on hot coals and not get burned. He convinces himself that one secret encounter will not matter, or that he can cover it up, or that no one will ever know. But sin always finds its way to the surface.
Why Money Can’t Fix It
Proverbs says that when a thief steals bread because he is starving, people understand—but he still must restore what he took. But adultery is different. No amount of repayment can satisfy the offended spouse.
You cannot say,
“I slept with your wife—here, take my wife in return.” That is insanity. You are not fixing the problem; you are doubling it.
Nor can you offer money: “I’ll write you a check to compensate you for your pain.”
Paying someone for sleeping with their spouse makes it worse. You have not only violated their marriage—you have now reduced their spouse to a prostitute. Some debts simply cannot be covered with natural currency.
The Only Way Out: Forgiveness Through Christ
When you sin against God or someone else, there is only one way out: Forgiveness through the blood of Jesus Christ. Go first to God. Then to the other party if necessary.
They may forgive you—or they may never forgive you. They may move away, cut you off, or remain angry for years. But whether they forgive you or not, God does. And when He forgives, the debt is transferred from your account to Christ’s.
Forgiveness does not erase consequences—but it restores fellowship with God.
Forgive From the Heart
Jesus said in Matthew 18:35: “Forgive your brother from your heart.”
Forgiveness begins in the heart because that is where God’s forgiveness began. Once you forgive from your heart, the debt is cancelled—not because it never existed, but because Jesus paid it in full.
Conclusion: Free Truly Is God's Highest Price
Salvation is free, but it cost God everything.
Forgiveness is free, but it cost Jesus His blood.
Restoration is free, but it demands humility and honesty from us.
Whether you are a sinner or a saint, the message is the same: You cannot pay. But Jesus already has.
