Will We Accept Or Reject God's Pardon?
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin Articles
During the presidency of Andrew Jackson, a postal clerk by the name of George Wilson, robbed a federal payroll from a train, and in the process killed a guard. The Supreme Court convicted him and sentenced him to death by hanging. However, because of public sentiment against capital punishment at the time, a movement began to secure a full presidential pardon for Wilson (his first offense), and eventually Jackson intervened with a pardon. Amazingly, Wilson refused the pardon (also see this source).
Since this had never happened before, the Supreme Court was asked to rule on whether someone could indeed refuse a presidential pardon. Chief Justice John Marshall handed down the court’s decision:
“A pardon is a parchment whose only value must be determined by the receiver of the pardon. It has no value apart from that which the receiver gives to it. George Wilson has refused to accept the pardon. We cannot conceive why he would do so, but he has. Therefore, George Wilson must die.” As punishment for his crime, George Wilson was taken from his cell and hanged to satisfy the requirements of the law. The Supreme Court declared that “a pardon must not only be granted, it must be accepted.“
Spiritually speaking, we are in a similar condition today as George Wilson — we need pardon! The Scriptures tell us, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
We are all guilty of sin, and deserve the righteous punishment that awaits us on the appointed Day of Judgment. However, a full pardon has been offered to us by God. “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men” (Titus 2:11). Jesus “is the propitiation (the atoning sacrifice, the sin-bearer) for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2). This pardon has been offered to “all men” (this includes you and me!). However, God’s pardon must be accepted.
The Bible teaches that we may receive God’s full pardon through faith (Hebrews 11:6), repentance (Acts 17:30; 2 Corinthians 7:10), confession of Christ (Romans 10:9-10), and baptism for the remission of our sins (Acts 2:38). If we continue to “walk in the light” (teachings of His word — Psalm 119:105; Proverbs 6:23), Jesus’ blood will continue to cleanse us from “all sin” (1 John 1:7).
A full pardon has been granted by the eternal God for us, but remember the Supreme Court’s ruling in the case of George Wilson — “a pardon must not only be granted, it must be accepted.”
The question is, “Will we today accept God’s pardon on His terms, or will we reject God’s pardon?”
The consequences for our refusing God’s pardon are too horrible to contemplate (Matthew 25:41).