“In the year 1829, a Philadelphia man named George Wilson robbed the U.S. mail, killing someone in the process. Wilson was arrested, brought to trial, found guilty, and sentenced to be hanged. Some friends intervened on his behalf, and were finally able to obtain a pardon from him from President Andrew Jackson.
When Wilson was informed, he refused to accept the pardon.
The sheriff was unwilling to exact the sentence since the president had pardoned Wilson. An appeal was made to President Jackson who, in turn, asked the Supreme Court for a ruling. Chief Justice Marshall ruled that a pardon is a piece of paper, the value of which depends on it’s acceptance by the person implicated. If it is refused, then it is not a pardon.
George Wilson was hanged, although a pardon lay on the sheriff’s desk.” **
During this Easter season, I am reminded of this story. We, too, have a pardon that is there for the taking. However, our pardon is not written in ink by the hand of a president, in order to save us from the hangman’s noose…
Our pardon is written in blood by the nail-scarred hands of Jesus, in order to save us from an eternity of torment — forever separated from Him.
And while this free gift of God is available simply for the asking (because He desires that “none should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9)), so many reject His pardon, missing out on the life of peace, protection, and promise that life in the Presence of God brings.
So what about you? Will you choose a life of hope and purpose, or an existence of uncertainty.
Will you choose the Rock of Ages, or the stone of judgement?
If you want to choose life everlasting, it is here.
HE is here.
All it takes is a simple prayer of faith…
“Jesus… I am a sinner. Please come into my life and save me. I know You died to pay the price for my sins. Thank You for all You did for me on Calvary. I accept Your gift, and ask You to be my Lord and Savior! Thank You Jesus for saving me.”
If you prayed that prayer… CONGRATULATIONS! You are now a part of the Family of God!
If you prayed that prayer, please let me know. I would love to hear from you.
Happy Easter!
The Heart of Abba - Ron Phillips 