Have you ever heard the story of George Wilson? The man who refused the pardon? No? Okay here’s a little history lesson for you (for free, don’t get too excited). In 1829 George Wilson and James Porter were arrested for robbing the mail and for “putting the life of the driver in danger”. Note no one died. The driver was endangered, but not harmed. What was the punishment? Death by hanging (yikes!!!!). The date for execution was set to take place 6 months after the trial in 1829. James Porter was executed as scheduled, however, George Wilson was not. Why? The reason was two pronged, one Wilson had very influential friends (which makes me wonder why he robbed trains????), and two the public opinion on execution was growing negative. Therefore President Andrew Jackson granted George Wilson a Presidential pardon. Here’s the kicker, Wilson refused the pardon! Yes, you read right. The man said, NO! Well, no one saw that coming, so in order to not lose face Mr. Wilson was brought before the Supreme Court in order to force the pardon on him (this makes me giggle, they are forcing him to NOT pay for his crimes…irony). Here is what the Supreme Court ruled:
Freedom is a choice.
“A pardon is an act of grace, proceeding from the power entrusted with the execution of the laws, which exempts the individual, on whom it is bestowed, from the punishment the law inflicts for a crime he has committed…A pardon is a deed, to the validity of which delivery is essential; and delivery is not completed without acceptance. It may then be rejected by the person to whom it is tendered; and if it be rejected, we have discovered no power in a court to force it on him.” -Supreme Court-
About now you’re thinking great story, but what’s your point? Here’s the point: You can’t force forgiveness it has to be ACCEPTED. Guilt and shame will eat us alive, even when the offense has been forgiven. Why? Because we don’t accept the pardon offered. We don’t live like we have been forgiven. Today I learned this lesson, like everything else on this journey choosing to accept the pardon, is our choice. Mr. Wilson had his reasons I am sure, but had he accepted, he would have been given the opportunity to live guilt free.
“Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the LORD, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:6-7).
So what am I thankful for today? Pardons.
Powerfully Awesome Truth!!!!
It really is, but also so much harder to do than we’d expect.
I’m saving this one to reblog! What an amazing story…and excellent parallel.
\o/
I liked this story, I often wonder why he said no to the pardon.
I wondered that as well.
I knew where this post was going from the beginning. Nice story. God’s grace is greater than we can ever imagine… or accept. But can our refusal to accept God’s grace limit God’s grace itself by punishing us in eternal damnation? And how can we totally accept a type of grace that we, as humans, cannot ever fully understand?
Our refusal is a choice, just like our accept. It doesn’t limit God at all, He has blessed us with free choice. Actions in life have consequences. If you steal, if you lie, there are consequences, you make the choice to do the action, knowing this fact. The same with God’s principles He clearly stated the benefits and consequences. The choice is then yours to make. Grace even when it comes from another human is not fully understood. It’s not about understanding. It is simply about accepting. We can’t call God out for decisions that we made. That would be the same as you teaching your child right from wrong, but them blaming you when they make a bad decision. His grace isn’t limited just because someone chooses not to accept it.
Reblogged this on Lessons by Heart and commented:
Free will – forgiveness is a choice. Read this amazing story of grace turned down…then poke around. You’ll find much food for thought from Journey of Thankfulness! \o/
Beautiful post!
:). Thank you, that is very kind of you to say.
This incident is true on a human level, but may I suggest that God is not bound by human thinking or by decrees of human courts of law. “Whosoever will” is indeed a Biblical truth, but we are all, apart from the effective grace of God, a bunch of “whosoever wont’s”!
I agree with you completely that GOD is not bound by anything. And that apart from grace we are nothing. So to that I say, thank God for His GREAT grace.
Amen!