Every once in a while, history gives us a story so powerful that it almost sounds like someone made it up.
In 1830, a court sentenced a man named George Wilson to death for robbing the U.S. Mail and taking a man’s life. Before Wilson’s execution, however, President Andrew Jackson did something extraordinary. He signed a full presidential pardon.
Even so, George Wilson did the unthinkable.
He refused to accept it.
The case notably reached the United States Supreme Court. Chief Justice John Marshall ruled that a person must accept a pardon before it becomes effective. Since Wilson rejected the pardon, they executed him under the sentence he could have escaped.
I shared this story in a recent teaching; it absolutely points us to an infinitely greater reality.
Two thousand years ago, Jesus Christ stretched out His hands on a Roman cross and declared, “It is finished!” At that moment, He paid the full penalty for sin. Therefore, we can never add anything more to His work. Never. He paid the debt. Jesus satisfied justice.
Today, God offers that full pardon to every man, woman, and child.
Is It Received?
The difference between those who spend eternity with Christ and those who spend eternity separated from Him is not whether Jesus paid enough. He did.
The difference is whether people receive His pardon.
The Bible says, “To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12)
Christian, if you have trusted Christ, rejoice! You are not living on probation. Indeed, you are not waiting for someone to make another payment. Nor are you trying to earn another measure of forgiveness. On the contrary, by faith you have already accepted your pardon. There is now “no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1)
But, if you have never trusted Christ, don’t make George Wilson’s mistake.
Don’t reject the greatest pardon God has ever offered. Receive it.
The Judge Himself has signed it in the blood of His own Son.
Resting in His Finished Work,
Posted in A Word from the Pastor