QUID PRO QUO

Quid pro quo (From the Latin meaning "something for something") indicates a more-or-less equal exchange or substitution of goods or services. English speakers often use the term to mean "a favor for a favor" and the phrases with almost identical meaning include: "what for what," "give and take," "tit for tat", "this for that", and "you scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours" (Wikipedia).

Many of us choose to focus solely on the vertical aspect (God to man) of forgiveness.  However, Jesus stresses the horizontal aspect (man to man) as well.  In fact, he says that proper horizontal relationships are a prerequisite for a proper vertical relationship.  Check out Luke 6:37-38 from the English Standard Version.

"Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you."

Who ever said forgiveness was free?