Off the Hook Forever
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:7–9
Under the United States Constitution, the president has wide ranging power to grant pardons. Article II, Section 1 says that the president, “Shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offences against the United States, except in cases of impeachment.” Once the president has issued a pardon, there is no review or recourse for anyone who objects. The law of the land grants presidents the ability to act in all federal cases except for impeachments.
God’s power, however, goes significantly further. While the president can give earthly pardon, God is still the final Judge, and all will stand before Him one day, regardless of their earthly verdict. And yet, God is able and willing to fully forgive and pardon all that we have done against Him. No sin is too great to be pardoned if it is confessed and forsaken. With such a wide ranging and unqualified offer of forgiveness on the table, why do so many people fail to take advantage of His abundant pardon? In large measure, it is because we are bound by the limits of our thinking. Because we do not find it easy to freely forgive and forget what has been done to us, we think God will hold grudges and remember our sins.
But the Lord is not limited in His ability to wipe the slate clean. He never brings up sins that we have dealt with. Indeed, He forgets them. “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more” (Hebrews 8:12). When we have been forgiven by God, we are cleansed forever.
Isaiah 55:7–9
Under the United States Constitution, the president has wide ranging power to grant pardons. Article II, Section 1 says that the president, “Shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offences against the United States, except in cases of impeachment.” Once the president has issued a pardon, there is no review or recourse for anyone who objects. The law of the land grants presidents the ability to act in all federal cases except for impeachments.
God’s power, however, goes significantly further. While the president can give earthly pardon, God is still the final Judge, and all will stand before Him one day, regardless of their earthly verdict. And yet, God is able and willing to fully forgive and pardon all that we have done against Him. No sin is too great to be pardoned if it is confessed and forsaken. With such a wide ranging and unqualified offer of forgiveness on the table, why do so many people fail to take advantage of His abundant pardon? In large measure, it is because we are bound by the limits of our thinking. Because we do not find it easy to freely forgive and forget what has been done to us, we think God will hold grudges and remember our sins.
But the Lord is not limited in His ability to wipe the slate clean. He never brings up sins that we have dealt with. Indeed, He forgets them. “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more” (Hebrews 8:12). When we have been forgiven by God, we are cleansed forever.
Today’s Growth Principle:
Having received a full pardon from God, we should not let guilt for what has been forgiven keep us in chains.
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