Unknowingly Forgiven, Unclaimed Pardon

Here’s a true story which gives a framework from where I’m coming from when I share the gospel:

“There was a penitentiary where the inmates suffered unimaginable abuse from the warden. The living conditions were horribly inhumane. There were times when food wasn’t served not only for several days but weeks! Many prisoners have starved to death. Some prisoners were beaten to death. All these were daily occurrences unknown to the government. The time came when the warden’s crimes were exposed and he was punished to the fullest extent of the law. A new warden was installed and on his first week he tried to get to know the inmates. He got to know Jack who is one of the most mistreated inmates.

One day as he was going through Jack’s records, he discovered a certificate of pardon and release duly signed by the governor tucked in the file. To his surprise, the certificate was signed ten years previously! For ten years it was already signed for but the former warden deliberately withheld the good news to him.”

During those ten years, was Jack a prisoner or a free man? I would say both. Legally, he was a free man but experientially, he was a prisoner. Was his pardon potential or actual? His pardon was real, definite and actual. It will be up to him though if he will choose to live the life of a pardoned person. What did Jack have to do in order to be pardoned? Absolutely nothing because he already had been pardoned. If you were the assistant to the warden and sent to tell Jack the good news what will you say?

Christ signed for our pardon long before our faith and repentance. The unrepentant will never get his pardon “unsigned.” He will fail to experience God’s pardon but he is always forgiven as far as God is concerned. The good news is unconditionally good. Once again, what do people hear from us?

a) Obey, do what is good, live a moral life THEN God will sign for your pardon.

b) NO, NO, NO! It’s not by works. Only believe! Just come home in faith and repentance THEN God will sign for your pardon.

I personally believe the wonderful good news is not A or B but C:

c) While you were yet unrepentant, long before you ever knew God and believed in Him, He already has signed for your pardon with His blood when He died. Will you come home and experience Him whom to know is Life Eternal?

Isaiah 44:22 I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.”

Richard Tamayo thru FANDiscussion