We’ve all seen movies and read accounts of a guilty person, facing execution or extended time in prison, who is offered a complete pardon! What great news for them! God has offered to each of us a pardon! Read the devotional by Dr. David Jeremiah below. Note that as with the legal pardon, to receive God’s pardon we must also admit our guilt. Being pardoned by God! That should put a smile on our face every day!
Turning Point Dr. David Jeremiah - A Proactive Pardon - DECEMBER 20, 2018
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29
Recommended Reading: Acts 13:38-39
Article II, Section 2, of the United States Constitution gives the American President power to pardon those guilty of breaking federal laws. (States can pardon violators of state laws.) Usually, requests for presidential pardons are addressed to the President himself by the person seeking the pardon. Alternatively, the President can issue a pardon even if one has not been requested. Acceptance of a pardon is a tacit admission of guilt—and in such cases, sometimes a presidential pardon is refused when the recipient doesn’t agree to the assumption of guilt.
In humanity’s case, we did not have to request a pardon from God for our sins. God took it upon Himself to send a Savior to set sin-scarred humanity free from the guilt of sin. Jesus said, “[God] has sent Me to . . . proclaim liberty to the captives” (Luke 4:18). The Bible is clear that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). We know we need a Savior from sin.
Thank God…that He sent a Savior to pardon and save us from all our sins.