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Pardoned

By Joe Palmer

Mississippi governor Haley Barbour has been in the news this week for giving a pardon to more than 200 inmates as he leaves office.  Much of the controversy is political.  Other aspects of it deal with technicalities.

To be clear 189 of the inmates were already out of prison. Others (90%) had been recommended by a parole board for a pardon.

How do you feel about pardons depends on which side of the issue you stand.

• Those wronged don’t usually favor pardon for the guilty.
• Those who want a fresh start need a pardon.

One of things Barbour said hit me.  Barbour said: “The pardons were intended to allow them to find gainful employment or acquire professional licenses as well as hunt and vote. My decision about clemency was based upon the recommendation of the Parole Board in more than 90 percent of the cases.”

We as human beings hold past crimes against people.  There are many jobs that a criminal record will disqualify you from.  At best it puts you at a disadvantage in getting a job.  How does a person who really wants to do so, start over?

While in life, and with men a pardon is illusive, with God it is not.  How does God respond to our need for pardon?

“They refused to obey, And they were not mindful of Your wonders That You did among them. But they hardened their necks, And in their rebellion They appointed a leader To return to their bondage. But You are God, Ready to pardon, Gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, Abundant in kindness, And did not forsake them.”  (Nehemiah 9:17 NKJV)

Today many Christian will come before God and confess their sins and ask for a pardon. God will say, “Yes.” John says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9 NKJV)

Many will come believers, confess Christ, repent and be baptized, and God will pardon them.  Romans 6:1-4

Do you need a pardon?

Joe Palmer