1 Peter 2:9-10 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Gerald Ford happens to be the first president of the United States I personally remember. Being very young, I have just a couple of impressions about him. But after his funeral I have a much better understanding of him. My overall impression that he was kind and nice has only been reinforced by what I have heard.
In the fact of the matter, I only heard one thing that people questioned about his actions; that being the pardon of President Richard Nixon. (I am not here to debate the change in time and the way politics are played out today, only to look at this one incident). Looking back, some wanted President Nixon to answer for his actions and take more responsibility.
Deep down we know justice is right. When we see a crime, something inside of us cringes and we want some form of retribution to fall upon that person. On the other hand, when we have committed an infraction we tend to have a marvelous way of downplaying our own culpability and expecting immediate forgiveness. So, when President Nixon was pardoned after all the confusing statements and testimony, people on both sides were left generally disappointed.
President Ford on his part had a great loyalty to his friends, and a commitment to caring for others that I would hope to have and cultivate in others. He decided to override justice and extend mercy. The country was spared the spectacle of a trial of a president. President Nixon did not get what he deserved.
I truly believe the pardon was not the best case scenario. Why? Two reasons: 1. I believe that the solution opened the door for a greater level of dishonesty and hostility in politics. When there is an open wound that never gets treated, it only festers and creates more problems. 2. I honestly believe that we have a generally forgiving country. Had Nixon confessed his part, offered apologies, and sought reconciliation I think that the country as a whole would have forgiven and embraced him. Perhaps I am a bit naïve but I believe our politics and fellow countrymen were a bit more genteel back then. Would that not have been a beautiful solution to a trying situation? Unfortunately, I believe President Ford was put between a rock and a hard place. A wrong had been done, justice was not served, and mercy was dispensed when grace would have been best.
Likewise, you and I have perjured ourselves before God, lusted, stolen, grumbled, caused disunity during our lives and God has chosen not only to pardon us through mercy, but also to bless us with grace. God did not overlook justice in reconciling us to Himself. The crimes we commit deserve and REQUIRE punishment! God punished His One and only Jesus in our place. Not only did God display His mercy (not giving us what we deserve) in Jesus, He also lavished us with grace (giving us what we do not deserve). We no longer have to fear the penalty of our sin, but we have the promise of God’s riches in heaven.
People can not understand how Christians can be so clear about moral judgments and God’s expectations and yet accept people with all sorts of sin. They believe we are hypocritical when we forgive people who hurt us and have acted in inappropriate ways. They do not understand that God has justly forgiven us and others. We can therefore truly put wrongs behind us and others because the matter is settled on the cross. Because we will get far more than we can ever dream or imagine we do not let the past hang over us or others, but look forward to our home in heaven.
One thankful for GRACE (God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense)
Gerald Ford happens to be the first president of the United States I personally remember. Being very young, I have just a couple of impressions about him. But after his funeral I have a much better understanding of him. My overall impression that he was kind and nice has only been reinforced by what I have heard.
In the fact of the matter, I only heard one thing that people questioned about his actions; that being the pardon of President Richard Nixon. (I am not here to debate the change in time and the way politics are played out today, only to look at this one incident). Looking back, some wanted President Nixon to answer for his actions and take more responsibility.
Deep down we know justice is right. When we see a crime, something inside of us cringes and we want some form of retribution to fall upon that person. On the other hand, when we have committed an infraction we tend to have a marvelous way of downplaying our own culpability and expecting immediate forgiveness. So, when President Nixon was pardoned after all the confusing statements and testimony, people on both sides were left generally disappointed.
President Ford on his part had a great loyalty to his friends, and a commitment to caring for others that I would hope to have and cultivate in others. He decided to override justice and extend mercy. The country was spared the spectacle of a trial of a president. President Nixon did not get what he deserved.
I truly believe the pardon was not the best case scenario. Why? Two reasons: 1. I believe that the solution opened the door for a greater level of dishonesty and hostility in politics. When there is an open wound that never gets treated, it only festers and creates more problems. 2. I honestly believe that we have a generally forgiving country. Had Nixon confessed his part, offered apologies, and sought reconciliation I think that the country as a whole would have forgiven and embraced him. Perhaps I am a bit naïve but I believe our politics and fellow countrymen were a bit more genteel back then. Would that not have been a beautiful solution to a trying situation? Unfortunately, I believe President Ford was put between a rock and a hard place. A wrong had been done, justice was not served, and mercy was dispensed when grace would have been best.
Likewise, you and I have perjured ourselves before God, lusted, stolen, grumbled, caused disunity during our lives and God has chosen not only to pardon us through mercy, but also to bless us with grace. God did not overlook justice in reconciling us to Himself. The crimes we commit deserve and REQUIRE punishment! God punished His One and only Jesus in our place. Not only did God display His mercy (not giving us what we deserve) in Jesus, He also lavished us with grace (giving us what we do not deserve). We no longer have to fear the penalty of our sin, but we have the promise of God’s riches in heaven.
People can not understand how Christians can be so clear about moral judgments and God’s expectations and yet accept people with all sorts of sin. They believe we are hypocritical when we forgive people who hurt us and have acted in inappropriate ways. They do not understand that God has justly forgiven us and others. We can therefore truly put wrongs behind us and others because the matter is settled on the cross. Because we will get far more than we can ever dream or imagine we do not let the past hang over us or others, but look forward to our home in heaven.
One thankful for GRACE (God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense)
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