Our Text today is – 2 Chronicles 7:14
“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
In talking about this verse, I want to tell you about a man named George Wilson.
George Wilson is a real person who in the early part of the 1800’s and was sentenced to death for robbing the mail and killing a government employee. While on death row President Andrew Jackson sent him a pardon.
He did not commute his sentence to life, he pardoned him. He was free to go. In response to this George Wilson did a strange thing. He refused the pardon. His case was taken to the Supreme Court.
This was the only time in American history when the Supreme Court was asked to decide if a man could force the government to execute him. Chief Justice Marshal wrote the court’s opinion. He wrote, “A pardon is a slip of paper, the value of which is determined by the acceptance of the person to be pardoned. If it is refused, it is not a pardon. George Wilson must be hanged.” Following this verdict, George Wilson was hanged.
In our nation’s law books this case is strange and rare, if not unique. In religious matters, this case is rather common. Every soul is under the condemnation of death. Paul told the Romans, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Rom 3:23). Later he said, “The wages of sin is death.” (Rom 6:23). After telling us of our sentence of death, Paul said, “But the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (6:23).
We have all been issued a pardon. Sadly, many do not accept the pardon. We rejoice in the 3,000 souls who were saved on Pentecost (Acts 2), but thousands more left that day without accepting the pardon extended to them.
God has issued a pardon to you. Whatever sins you may have committed, whatever wrong you have done, whatever burden you are carrying, He pardons them all. All you have to do is accept the pardon.
Lonnie Davis