A pardon is a paper, the value of which depends upon its acceptance by the parties implicated

“Let the wicked forsake his way; and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” (Isa. 55:7)

As everyone knows, a Presidential term is coming to an end soon and something customary to these occasions is making the news lately.  The “something” of which I’m speaking is “Presidential pardons.”  With your indulgence, I’d like to take this topic and see if we can’t get a spiritual lesson from this temporal example.

I suppose that we should begin with the definition of the word “pardon.”  As in, what exactly is a pardon?  The dictionary tells us that it is “a release, or a forgiveness of an offense.”  The aim of our lesson will be to apply this definition to some truths from God’s Word and, hopefully, see where we stand in relation to our need of a “pardon.”

First off, we need to realize that each and everyone of us are “offenders” with many of us being “repeat offenders.”  Romans 3:23 lets us know this by the use of the words “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”  By the fact that all of us are guilty of violating the laws and precepts of God in some form or fashion, that qualifies us to be subjects for a “pardon.”

Another passage that I feel shows us our precarious situation is what we read in Col. 2:13.  Basically, that verse tells us that all of us are “dead in your sins” but then tells us that a “pardon” has already been granted because “Christ has given us life together with Him.”

The second, or next, thing we need to realize is that there is a punishment, or sentence, attached to our “offense.”  In our case, that sentence is “death” because that’s the sentence prescribed for all offenders of God.  I refer you back to Col. 2:13. 

Here’s the simple equation: if one is a convicted offender and is worthy of death (which we all are), then there must be a death.  In other words, a carrying out of the sentence UNLESS the sentence is abrogated, or annulled.  This is where our “pardon” comes into play.

Not only does Paul tells us in Romans that we are all offenders (guilty), he also tells us that the necessary death for our offences has already taken place.   Look at chapter 5, verse 8: “But God commendeth His love toward us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Now here’s the most consequential thing about that “death.”  He did not deserve to die.  He was not “worthy” of death because he was not convicted of the commission of any offense.  His “death” was a sacrifice.  He was, as described by Peter, a “lamb without blemish and without spot.”  (1Pet. 1:19) He was the perfect sacrifice and by that sacrifice He purchased our “pardon.”

However, there is something we have to understand about this “pardon” and that is, it’s “conditional.”  What that simply means is, that the “pardon” is there and is applied IF certain conditions are met.  Do you know what the first condition is?  That it has to be accepted by the offender.

That’s almost hard to fathom, isn’t it?  That someone under a sentence of death wouldn’t accept a “pardon?”  And yet, percentage-wise, as predicted by Christ in Matt. 7:13-14, most of mankind will not accept this “pardon.”  The condition that is required of the offender is that they must participate in the death of the One who took our place on the gallows, so to speak.  (Rom. 6:3-7)   When that condition is met, instead of “dying eternally” we’ll be “given a crown of life.”  (Rev. 2:10)

There’s one more thing I’d like you to consider about this topic and that is, God’s “pardon” is OFFERED to us, not forced upon us.  He simply tells us that we’re already under a sentence of death and that someday that sentence will be carried out.  But, as already mentioned, it comes with conditions and 1John 5:3 tells us that these conditions are “not grievous.”  But, I guess the majority of offenders don’t want to be subject to any conditions at all.

Let me close by telling you a true story that I feel puts a cap on our lesson today.  During the 1800's, during the time that Andrew Jackson was President, a man by the name of George Wilson was convicted of robbery and murder.  President Jackson reviewed his case and granted him a pardon.  Apparently this was an ordinary occurrence way back then.

What wasn’t ordinary about it, and what caused much confusion to the judicial system was - George Wilson REFUSED the pardon.  It was simply unimaginable.  That someone facing the gallows would refuse a Presidential pardon.  Since this was the first time this had ever occurred there was no case law to refer to. 

So, it was finally settled by the Supreme Court and this was the ruling of Chief Justice John Marshall:  “A pardon is a paper, the value of which depends upon its acceptance by the parties implicated.  It is hardly to be supposed that one under sentence of death would refuse to accept a pardon.  But if it is refused, IT IS NO PARDON.  George Wilson must hang.”

In closing, let’s take note of some thoughts from Justice Marshall’s ruling.  Of particular interest to me is where he said that the “value” of a pardon “depends on its acceptance by the parties implicated.”  That, brethren, is where the “rubber meets the road.”  The “bottom line” as we say today.  How much “value” do you place on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ?  If we refuse the “pardon” then it’s pretty obvious that we don’t place much value on it, do we?

And let me give you one more “truth” from God - there will not be another “pardon” offered.  In Heb. 10:26 we read that if we refuse this one “there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins.”  Like Justice Marshall said, “it’s hardly to be supposed that one under a sentence of death would refuse to accept a pardon.”  But, if or when they do, they will remain “dead in their sins” and the sentence of death will be carried out.

Respectfully submitted,

Ron Covey