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"...The church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth."
I Timothy 3:15
The Strange Case of George Wilson
From an American Baptist Association Tract
In 1829 two men - Wilson and Porter - were convicted of robbing the United States mail, and sentenced to death by hanging. Three weeks before the time set for Wilson's execution, he was pardoned by President Andrew Jackson.
Strangely enough, Wilson refused the pardon. The case went to the Supreme Court (United States vs. George Wilson, 7 Peters' Report, page 150) and the court finally handed down its decision: "A pardon is a deed, to the validity of which delivery is essential, and delivery is not complete without acceptance. It may then be rejected by the person to whom it is tendered; and if it is rejected, we have discovered no power in this court to force it upon him."
Most people would agree that Wilson was a fool for refusing to accept a pardon. Yet these same people daily reject the pardon which God has provided for them.
Because God is just, He must punish our sins. But because God is merciful, He Himself suffered the awful penalty when Jesus Christ, His Son, suffered all the wrath of God against our sins as He died on the cross of Calvary. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).
Your pardon has been signed by God Himself. Now all you need to do is accept it by telling God in prayer that you are guilty of sin; ask Him to pardon you, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Rom. 10:13). At the same time you call upon God trust Him to pardon you for Christ's sake.
Do this and God will deliver the evidence of your pardon and you will be released from the prison of sin.
Unless you accept the pardon, you remain condemned. "He that believeth not is condemned" (John 3:18).
Wilson's was a strange case. But then, Wilson was a fool.