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Pardoned, excused, relieved, exonerated, whatever word you want to use, it means your free. In spite of all the historic claims to turkeys being pardoned, it was actually President George Bush who began the formal tradition of declaring a presidential pardon for a turkey and actually sending it to a petting zoo.

(There is reasonable conjecture that some previously “pardoned” turkeys still ended up on a table. Just not the president’s own table. “Not this guy,” Bush said when a holiday turkey was presented. “He’s been granted a presidential pardon as of right now.”

There is power in the declaration of a pardon particularly a presidential pardon. Even one which is completely undeserved as it sometimes the case.

1. Only the one with certain authority can do that and it only extends to that person’s area of influence.

2. Only the one declared guilty, facing a sentence or otherwise convicted can receive a pardon.

For the criminal a pardon can be a chance to start again. It can become the pathway to a whole new lifestyle. The old is done, but the litmus test of the pardon person’s character is what he or she does with the new freedom.

For the Christian, a pardon is their ticket to eternal joy. Because God is God he doesn’t answer to anyone. His authority is total, over all of existence, on every planet, in every solar system, every galaxie…everywhere and in all spheres of existence.

Imagine, if you will, the King of Kings, who recognizes all the ways in which we have messed up, even the seemingly smallest, most private of our failures, sins, crimes, and scandalous engagements. Because of those sins, a just God will sentence us to an eternity of separation from all things good, all kindness, all hope, all goodness…forever.

But in some cases he steps in and say “No. Not this one. This one’s been granted a pardon as of right now!”

But just like the criminal who has been pardoned, the test of our gratitude is what we do with our new found freedom. The sentence we faced has been lifted. What will we do. Will we take advantage of this new life to live gratefully, forgiving others even as we have been forgiven ourselves. Can we pardon other’s sins, like our own have been pardoned.

This thanksgiving take some time to consider whether or not you’ve sought that pardon, whether or not you have received that pardon, and just how you are living in light of that pardon. The King of Kings has extended his hand of grace. Will you accept His pardon?

Do you want to know how seek that pardon, or how to receive it, or how to live in light of it. Drop me a line. I’ll be here by the door.

Email Glen here: glen@bythedoor.org