The Pardoning of Richard Nixon
On this day in 1974, President Gerald Ford pardoned former President Richard Nixon. Many saw the disgraced Nixon, the only President ever forced to resign the presidency, as undeserving of a pardon. Whether you agree or disagree with Ford’s pardon of Nixon, one thing is for sure, Nixon was no less deserving of a presidential pardon than we are of a divine one.
According to the Bible, Christ’s propitiatory death upon the cross has made it possible for God to pardon us of our sins (Ephesians 1:7). God offers His pardon on the basis of Christ’s atoning work, not on the basis of our worthiness. Being incapable of earning God’s pardon, all we can do is accept it by faith from the Savior’s gracious hand. Our refusal to do so will prove to be a most costly and fatal mistake.
In 1829, President Andrew Jackson pardoned George Wilson, a murderer sentenced to be hanged in Pennsylvania. Wilson, however, refused to accept his presidential pardon. President Jackson, insisting that a pardon was a pardon whether accepted or not, demanded that Wilson’s execution be halted until the Supreme Court could decide the matter. The Court decided, much to Jackson’s chagrin, that a pardon is not a pardon until it is received. Speaking for the Court, Chief Justice John Marshall said, “A pardon is a paper, the value of which depends upon its acceptance by the person 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.” Needless to say, George Wilson was hanged.
The Apostle Paul wrote, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23). Don’t wait to receive what you’ve earned, but accept God’s gift of forgiveness today!
Don Walton
|
