Nearly a hundred and fifty years ago a man named George Wilson was sentenced to be hanged for robbing the United States mails and for murder. Andrew Jackson, who was then President, sent him a pardon. Wilson, however, refused it and insisted that it was not a pardon unless he accepted it.
The attorney general said that the law was silent on this point, and the matter was referred to the Supreme Court. Chief Justice Marshall gave the following decision: "A pardon is a paper, the value of which depends on its acceptance by the person implicated. It is hardly to be supposed that one under sentence of death would refuse to accept a pardon, but if it is refused it is no pardon. George Wilson must be hanged!" And he was.
What folly was it that could have induced Wilson to refuse the pardon that meant life and liberty to him? I do not know. But it was no greater folly than that which leads thousands to refuse, day after day, the pardon that is freely offered them by God. Men need to be pardoned because they are offenders against God. Sin is a dreadful offense in His sight; and all have sinned. ALL, therefore, need a pardon. None can earn it, for men are not only sinners, but "without strength."
But the Lord is "not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." God has not left us to perish without hope. On the ground of the atonement wrought by His own Son, He offers a free pardon to all. However, that pardon, if not accepted, will not avail. Do not, I beg you, let this priceless pardon slip from you through indifference or stubbornness of heart.