"The Pardon"

"God's Pardon" Isaiah 55:7 "Let the wicked forsake their ways ... Let them turn to the Lord, and He will have mercy on them, and to our God, for He will freely pardon" During this Lenten season I am reminded that Christ freely pardons us from all of our sins - when we accept His pardon. Furthermore, the scripture teaches us that “He remembers them (our sins) no more” (Hebrews). Have you accepted His pardon? There was a man named George Wilson who is the only person in the history of the U.S. to refuse a pardon. Let me tell you the story. In 1829 two men, George Wilson and James Porter, robbed a United States mail carrier. Both were subsequently captured and tried in a court of law. In May 1830 both men were found guilty of six charges, including robbery of the mail “and putting the life of the driver in jeopardy.” Both Wilson and Porter received their sentences: Execution by hanging, to be carried out on July 2. Porter was executed on schedule, but Wilson was not. Influential friends pleaded for mercy to the President of the United States, Andrew Jackson, on his behalf. President Jackson issued a formal pardon, dropping all charges. Wilson would have to serve only a prison term of 20 years for his other crimes. Incredibly, George Wilson refused the pardon! An official report stated Wilson chose to “waive and decline any advantage or protection which might be supposed to arise from the pardon….” Wilson also stated he “…had nothing to say, and did not wish in any manner to avail himself in order to avoid sentence….” The U.S. Supreme Court determined, “The court cannot give the prisoner the benefit of the pardon, unless he claims the benefit of it…. It is a grant to him: it is his property; and he may accept it or not as he pleases.” Chief Justice John Marshall wrote, “A pardon is an act of grace, proceeding from the power entrusted with the execution of the laws…. (But) delivery is not completed without acceptance. It may then be rejected by the person to whom it is tendered, and…we have no power in a court to force it on him.” George Wilson committed a crime, was tried and found guilty. He was sentenced for execution, but a presidential decree granted him a full pardon. When he chose to refuse that pardon, he chose to die. I am so thankful God offers each one of us a free and complete pardon, one enabling us to spend eternity in the presence of God. If you haven't already - you may accept His full and complete pardon today!
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