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Every time we pick up a paper or turn on a newscast in recent weeks, there have been some news stories about pardons.

One headline said Former President Biden “set (the) record for the most pardons and commutations” before he left office. Those pardoned included his son, three of his siblings and two of their spouses. Interestingly, his siblings and their spouses had not been convicted on any charge. Other officials were also pardoned who had not been convicted. According to public records, Biden issued 8,064 pardons, including 6,500 possibly pardoned for marijuana possession.

Then, President Trump’s first day in office on January 20, he issued 1,500 pardons for people charged in the January 6 attack in 2021. The total number of pardons from his first term and now stands at 1,700. The U.S. Constitution grants the president the authority to pardon offenses against the United States, except in impeachment cases.

According to Webster’s dictionary, to pardon means “to release a person from further punishment for a crime. It’s also defined as “forgiveness” or “an official document granting a pardon.” Black’s Law Dictionary says a pardon is an act of grace from a governing power. A pardon restores a person’s rights of citizenship, meaning the right to vote and carry firearms.

There’s an interesting story I once read about pardons. In 1829, a man named George Wilson killed someone while he was robbing the U.S. mail. Later, Wilson was caught, convicted, and sentenced to die.

Some of his friends were able to speak to then President Andrew Jackson on his behalf and the president granted him a pardon. When Wilson heard about it, he refused to accept it. His friends asked the president for advice and President Jackson turned to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Court ruled, “A pardon is a piece of paper, the value of which depends upon its acceptance by the person implicated. It is hardly to be supposed that a person under the sentence of death would refuse to accept a pardon; but, if it is refused, it is no pardon. George Wilson must die.”

The death sentence was carried out, even though a pardon was provided. I can’t imagine anyone rejecting forgiveness. But people still do. Even though we may not want to think about it, one day every one of us will answer for our deeds. (Romans 2:2-6) There will be a judgment day when we are punished for our sins.

A pardon is waiting for anyone who will accept Jesus as their Savior. Through Christ’s death and resurrection, we can have forgiveness. It is an act of grace granted by God, who has unlimited power to pardon. Romans 6:23 says the payment for sin is death. but the grace of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

According to the prophet Isaiah, when we forsake our wicked ways and turn to God, He will have mercy on us and “He will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:7).

— Jan White has compiled a collection of her columns in her book, “Everyday Faith for Daily Life.”