From time to time we hear of some government official granting pardon to a convicted criminal. The criminal has been tried and convicted of crimes under the laws of the land. But the government official has decided that he should not be punished further for the crimes. In most cases his offense is cleared from public records, as if the crime had never been committed.
We have all committed offenses against God. We may not think that these crimes are worthy of punishment and that God should not hold them against us, but God has a different view of our sins against Him. He is holy and perfectly righteous. He cannot bear sin, which is actually rebellion against Him. In His perfect justice, these crimes against Him must be punished. But God is also rich in mercy. So He has made a way for us to receive pardon for our sins. He gave His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on a cross, bearing God’s wrath against our sin. His blood gives us forgiveness for our sins and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. It is the greatest gift of mercy ever seen.
But we are required to do one thing. We must humble ourselves before God, acknowledging our sinfulness and believing in His mercy through Jesus Christ. Basically, we are thus required to receive the gift that God so freely offers to us. Receive the pardon that God offers you. Be free today. You will no longer carry around the burden of guilt for the crimes that you have committed against God. God’s permanent record of your offenses will be wiped clean. And you will know the joy of His presence.
Exodus 34:9 says, “And he said, ‘If I have found favor in your sight, O Lord, please let the Lord go in the midst of us, for it is a stiff-necked people, and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for your inheritance.'” Don’t be stiff-necked any longer. Acknowledge your sin and need for the Savior, Jesus Christ. And receive God’s pardon and presence forever.
Reluctant Retiree 