Daily Devotions
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that He may have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. Isaiah 55:7
On March 1st, 1969, rock star Jim Morrison is alleged to have misbehaved on stage at a concert in Miami.
He was arrested and convicted; he appealed the verdict.
In 1971, while he was in the process of appealing the jury’s decision, he was found dead in a Paris bathtub.
Now, more than 30 years later, the governor of Florida, Charlie Crist, is planning on extending a pardon to Jim Morrison. The amazing thing is this: the woman who says she was married to the singer has said she doesn’t want a pardon. She wants the verdict overturned and Morrison’s record cleared.
Maybe she has a point; maybe she doesn’t.
One thing is for sure: when it comes to our sins, we all need to be thankful the Lord is extending a pardon to us.
We are guilty of violating His will, of disobeying the Lord’s wishes. Because of that guilt we deserve to have the book thrown at us. Indeed, we would have the book thrown at us if it wasn’t for Jesus.
God’s Son, our Savior, entered this world to offer Himself as a perfect substitute for our imperfect selves. By resisting temptation, by keeping the commandments, by carrying our sins and dying our death, Jesus completed that work of redemption.
Now, any and all who believe on Him are given a pardon for their sins. Signed in the blood of the Savior, they are freed of the penalties they deserved and given the forgiveness they don’t.
But there’s one thing that should be remembered: God’s pardon is never given posthumously.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, for the pardon which forgives us, we give thanks. For the salvation You have won, You have our gratitude. Now, while there is time, may others be brought to realize what You have done for them. In Your Name. Amen.