No Pardon...

The New York Daily News published an interesting article two weeks ago. It seems that the nation’s oldest library, the New York Society Library in Manhattan still has an old ledger that contains the records of all the books that were checked out from the library between July 1789 and April 1792. At that time, New York was the nation's capital and Aaron Burr, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay are all included in its pages as patrons of the library. They each borrowed books and returned them. However, one very prominent figure from American History wasn’t so faithful. On Oct. 5, 1789, President George Washington borrowed the "Law of Nations," a treatise on international relations, and Vol. 12 of the "Commons Debates," which contained transcripts of debates from Britain's House of Commons.

The entry for that transaction contains no return date. Recently, the long lost 14-Volume set of “Commons Debates” was rediscovered and Volume 12 was missing, lending credence to the supposition that the books were never returned. The books were due by Nov. 2, 1789, and have been accruing a fine of a few pennies per day ever since. If the library were to try to collect the late fees that have accrued over the course of 220 years, the inflation adjusted total would be somewhere around $300,000. It was suggested, by one writer, that the only recourse was a presidential pardon. A pardon would totally wipe away the vast, outstanding debt.

If, indeed, the descendants of President Washington sought a pardon and if the current administration were to grant such a pardon, it would be the first pardon issued by President Obama. Although the Constitution provides the president virtually unlimited power to "grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States,” presidential pardons have long been the source of much controversy. Because of this, first-term Presidents have traditionally shown a great reluctance to wield the power of the pardon.

A presidential pardon signifies an official forgiveness for a federal crime and restores forfeited civil rights such as the right to vote or bear arms. It is, essentially, the only means by which a person can escape judgment for the wrongs they have been convicted of. Once a person is pardoned, there will be no further judgment for their crimes. If their sentence has not been fully served it is commuted. If they have not yet begun to serve their sentence, then it is completely wiped out. A pardon removes judgment from the equation, allowing a crime to simply be forgiven without satisfying any verdict.

When it comes to matters of sin and salvation, there are some who believe that salvation is, in effect, God’s version of a pardon. There seems to be, in some circles, a prevailing belief that God can just dismiss sin without any consequence at all. Forgiveness has been equated to the idea that God, in his great mercy, can determine to simply “overlook” sins. Nothing could be further from the truth! I want to go on record, loud and clear, with the statement that God doesn’t pardon sin. He can’t. If He did, he would cease to be God.

In order to understand this it is important that we fix in our minds the nature of God’s reaction toward sin. Sin provokes the wrath of God. It demands judgment. The problem with sin is the fact that it does violence to the constitution under which God and humans live. Sin is rebellion against God, it is an attack against God’s honor and holiness. If God could tolerate or condone sin in any measure, He would no longer be God because sin usurps an authority that belongs only to God, it is an affront to the very nature and character of God.

Sin asserts the idea that the sinner is, in some way, above God and outside of the realm of God’s authority because sin ignores the laws that God has imposed in our lives. It says to God, “I know better than you do what is good for me and my life.” This is why sin demands the destruction of the sinner. This also explains why the wages of sin is always death, and the soul that sins must surely die. The only way in which the honor of God can be satisfied and sin can be atoned for is through death. The wrath of God demands it.

God’s wrath is not like human wrath. God doesn’t lose His temper and become enraged, like we do. He doesn’t fly off the handle and go into a fit of rage. God’s wrath is a deliberate, controlled, unwavering kind of anger. It is not an inconsistent passion that can be turned on and off or one that diminishes with time. It is the automatic, deliberate reaction of a holy God to sin. After Israel fashioned the golden calf and worshipped it, God said to Moses, in Exodus 32:10, “Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them.” This controlled aspect of God’s anger against sin is expressed clearly in Jn. 3:36, where the wrath of God is said to “abide on” the individual that doesn’t believe in Jesus Christ. Where there is sin, there is, of necessity, the abiding wrath of God.

This is where the mercy of God comes into the equation. We are all sinners and have all fallen short of the glory of God. Because of this, each of us is under God’s wrath. The cross was God’s answer to sin and Paul indicates in Romans 3:21–26 that our justification is based on the removal of God’s wrath through the propitiation of the blood of Jesus. The blood of a substitute removes the wrath of God. It satisfies the need for judgment and death. In this manner the offering of an atoning sacrifice at Calvary appeased the righteous wrath of a holy God.

Here’s the truth of the matter: For God to be God He has to judge sin. He cannot and will not simply “pardon” sin. He will not commute the sentence. If God is to remain holy and just, then every sin must be judged. Calvary provides a place of judgment where the penalty for our sins is fulfilled, a place where the wrath of God is appeased. God’s controlled wrath was poured out at Calvary. It was fully satisfied at the cross. This is the miracle of Calvary! The judge that demanded judgment also became the one upon whom that judgment was executed. To keep from pouring out his wrath on us, God became a man, and poured out that wrath upon himself. Through faith in and obedience to the plan of salvation, our sins are judged and we go free. There is no other way. There is no pardon for sins. When it comes to sin, God will always judge it. His holiness demands it.

God’s mercy is holy and righteous because it is based upon the fact that sin has been judged and His wrath has been satisfied. God’s judgment will be holy and righteous because all sin that stands before him will be judged. Some will come before God in judgment and will have already applied the blood of Jesus. When God looks at them He will see that sin has already been judged and His justice and his mercy will be in complete harmony when He pardons that individual and says, “Well done my good and faithful servant.” However, some will come before God with sin in their lives that is not covered by the blood of Jesus due to the fact that they have not believed in and fulfilled the plan of salvation. Once again, His judgment and His mercy will be in harmony. The judgment of God will condemn sin, the wrath of God will be poured out and the mercy of God will be fully aware that a way of escape was made but the sacrifice was either neglected or ignored.

The estate of President Washington may have a pretty good case for a presidential pardon and there is probably a pretty good chance that, if they ask for one, they will receive it. However, the fact remains that God issues no such pardons. He has made a way for the price to be paid through the cross. Through the plan of salvation, which appropriates the work of Calvary into your life, He will bear your burden for you. He will bear the judgment for your sins, but He will not overlook sin or fail to judge it. In every case, His wrath will be satisfied, His justness will be appeased and His righteousness will be intact. The price will be paid, one way or the other…