November 15, 2018 (Thursday)
A true story:
Back in 1830 George Wilson was convicted of robbing the U.S. Mail and was sentenced to be hanged. President Andrew Jackson issued a pardon for Wilson, but he refused to accept it. The matter went to Chief Justice Marshall, who concluded that Wilson would have to be executed. “A pardon is a slip of paper,” wrote Marshall, “the value of which is determined by the acceptance of the person to be pardoned. If it is refused, it is no pardon. George Wilson must be hanged.”
What happened to George Wilson is happening to thousands of people every day, because they refuse to accept the pardon offered by God. In Romans 6:23 salvation is presented as a gift. Not everyone accepts that gift. Those who refuse the gift must accept the wages of sin (also described in Romans 6:23), which is death.
God loves the world so much that he provided a way for everyone to be saved. John 3:16 tells us that those who believe in Jesus as their Savior shall not perish, but have eternal life.
Accept the gift by putting your faith in Jesus. To refuse Christ is a far greater error than that of George Wilson, who refused a presidential pardon. If you reject Jesus, you refuse to accept God’s full and complete pardon of all your sins. Please don’t make that mistake. “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved” (Romans 10:9).
A little chorus I have not heard in years used to be sung at the close of many worship services: “Oh, don’t go away without Jesus, Oh, don’t go away without Him. You know He is willing to saved you, and cleanse from your heart every sin. Oh, yield to His offer of mercy. Oh, take of the grace He imparts. And don’t go away without Jesus in your heart.” Click here to hear this song.