DON'T REFUSE YOUR PARDON

"Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the Lord has spoken"- Isaiah 1:18‭-‬20 (NIV)

Several years ago, a man was convicted for robbery and murder. He was sentenced by the Judge to die for his crime. His close friends however managed to get presidential pardon for him. But surprisingly, when this man was informed of this pardon he refused to accept it. The matter was referred to the Supreme Court and the Chief Judge ruled as follows: "A pardon is a piece of paper, the value of which depends upon its acceptance by the person implicated. It is difficult to see a person under the sentence of death who refused to accept a pardon; but, if it is refused, it is no pardon. So, the man who rejects his pardon must die."

Death sentence was passed on all human being when Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden (Romans 3:23 & 6:23). In order to rescue man from this terrible judgement, God issued a divine pardon sealed with the blood of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 9:12). This pardon is the gift of eternal life (John 3:15, 10:28, & 17:3). However, anyone who rejects this pardon for any reason will have to face the music. He/she will experience the agony of second death or eternal separation from God (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9).

Beloved, there is a divine pardon for you. However, you have to accept the pardon before for it can be invoked or exercised. So, dear friends, have you truly accepted God's supreme pardon? Have you received the gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus or are you still gambling with your eternal destination? It is not wise to allow the sentence of death to be executed when there is a valid pardon with your name boldly written on it. God is still begging you to receive your pardon from the verdict of sin and judgement ( 2 Corinthians 5:19-20, Isaiah 1:18-20). He will definitely not be happy if you continue to reject His offer of eternal life. Therefore, I beg you this day to please accept this divine pardon so that you can escape the terrible judgement of death hanging on the soul of every man. 

"God's message is this: By Christ's death, God was bringing people of the world back to himself, as his friends. He would no longer keep their sins in his thoughts. This is the message that God want us to tell people. So, we speak to people on behalf of Christ. It is like this: When we speak, God himself is speaking to you. On behalf of Christ, we say to you, ‘Please come back to God, as his friends!’"- 2 Corinthians 5:19‭-‬20 (EASY)

One powerful hymn that describes the divine pardon that God issued to man in Isaiah 1:18-20 and 2 Corinthians 5:19-20 is titled "Gone Is All My Debt of Sin". Could you please prayerfully meditate on the lyrics of this hymn and trust God to help you to truly accept His supreme pardon from eternal condemnation. 

GONE IS ALL MY DEBT OF SIN by M.S. Shafer,  1915.

Gone is all my debt of sin,

A great change is wrought within,

And to live I now begin,

Risen from the fall;

Yet the debt I did not pay—

Someone died for me one day,

Sweeping all the debt away—

Jesus paid it all.

Refrain: 

       Jesus died and paid it all, yes,

       On the cross of Calvary, Oh

       And my stony heart was melted

       At His dying, dying call;

       Oh, His heart in shame was broken

       On the tree for you and me, yes,

       And the debt, the debt is canceled,

      Jesus paid it, paid it all.

Oh, I hope to please Him now,

Light of joy is on my brow,

As at His dear feet I bow,

Safe within His love.

Making His the debt I owed,

Freedom true He has bestowed;

So I’m singing on the road

To my home above.

Sinner, not for me alone

Did the Son of God atone;

Your debt, too, He made His own,

On the cruel tree.

Come to Him with all your sin;

Be as white as snow within;

Full salvation you may win

And rejoice with me.

My prayer is that the Holy Spirit will convict many of their sins and multitude shall come to the saving knowledge of Christ today. May God melt every stony heart and give us true heart of flesh. And may we receive grace to continually sing of God's faithfulness until we reach our mansions above. 

Good day and God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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