The public was shocked when a young man sitting on ‘Death Row’ in a Pennsylvania state penitentiary turned down his pardon, saying, “I don’t want it! Let me be! I want to die!” His startling reply was unprecedented, as were his refusal of all pleas and insistence on his right to die.
As the law books were examined and a special legislature session was called to determine what action should be taken in the matter, the law makers concluded that a pardon must be accepted in order for it to be valid. So the young man chose to take the long walk to the sound of ‘Dead Man Walking’ and paid the supreme penalty.
Though many people said the young man was a fool, multitudes continue to refuse Almighty God’s offer of pardon from the penalty of sin – in other words, they choose eternal separation from Almighty God in eternal torment! Isn’t that also a foolishness?
Many of us have been traumatized by and live in fear of our past sin against someone or a past sin someone has committed against us. Our present walk is being hindered because we either can’t forgive ourselves or someone else for the ghosts of yesteryears. You see, to forgive ourselves or someone else in a way that honors our Savior is to not only forgive but to forget. Jesus gave us a clean slate. That’s what we are supposed to do. We are to forgive as Christ has forgiven us and be done with it. Do not flirt with the idea of forgiveness unless you are able to cancel the debt!
Matthew 6: 14-15 reads, “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.” These are red letter words from the mouth of Jesus. They came right after his instructions on how we should pray, “forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” Forgiveness is paramount to our freedom.
Hebrews 8: 12 reads, “For I will be merciful to their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” If God chooses to forgive and forget our transgressions, who are we to hold on to them or keep serving them for breakfast every morning?
As we are preparing to enter into a season of Thanksgiving and Christmas, I believe we need to set each other free. Jesus came so that we can be free. He died once, for all, and His forgiveness has set us free from the bondage of sin. Cancel it all, and celebrate freedoms like you have never before.
Blessings…
Truth Be Told 