TADB 70: Reconciliation – More than a Pardon

God’s forgiveness is often referred to as a pardon.  But is it?  The word pardon is never used in the New Testament in connection with the atonement.  So why do we use the terms interchangeably?  Forgiveness is intrinsically linked to reconciliation in the Bible.  No one is forgiven who is not also reconciled to God.  I would suggest that the concept of a legal pardon, while providing some helpful illustrative parallels, is inadequate to explain what is offered to us through God’s forgiveness.

Our current constitutional model of a pardon comes from our English heritage.  Modeled after English monarchs, the power to pardon was built into our constitution and given to presidents – not the judicial system. 

Although the constitution does not describe a pardon, it is generally accepted that a legal pardon can be given for any reason and it can be granted at any time in the legal process.  A pardon can be given before conviction (President Ford pardoned Nixon), while serving a prison sentence, or after the sentence has been completed.  A pardon does not wipe the conviction off the record, but it does release the convicted from future punishment and restores some, not all, of the civil rights lost due to the conviction.  

As you can see from the above description, there are parallels between an executive pardon and God’s forgiveness, but a pardon falls far short of the magnitude of God’s forgiveness.  A pardon can release us from further judgment, but it cannot infuse new life, impart righteousness, restore fellowship (reconciliation), or give us a new identity.  Forgiveness does all of the above.   It is an act of divine mercy which is undeserved but definitely not free or unconditional.  It is offered at the cost of the substitutionary sacrifice of Christ at Calvary and it is conditionally given on the basis of faith and repentance. 

Here is a brief comparison between a legal pardon and biblical forgiveness:

How they are similar: 

• Both are granted by the sovereign of the country or state.
• Both are an act of mercy.
• Both can be granted for any reason and at any time.
• Both can have conditions attached at the will of the sovereign.
• Both are permanent. 
• Both remove some, but not all, of the consequences of the conviction.
• Both must be accepted to become effective.

How they are dissimilar:

• One is an outright declaration; the other is based on substitutionary atonement.
• One changes our liability; the other also changes our identity.
• One gives us freedom; the other also gives us His righteousness.
• One is an impersonal legal construct; the other is a relational covenant promise.
• One restores our rights; the other restores our relationship.

It is apparent that forgiveness is similar to a pardon but a great deal more.  If people do not understand the difference, salvation becomes a pardon in their minds and they treat it like a “get out of jail free” card.  A person who has been pardoned in the penal system may be grateful for the commuted sentence but still remain detached, distant, and even defiant toward the one who pardoned him.  

Biblical forgiveness involves reconciliation based on substitution and exchange.  Those who hold to a retributive view of justice argue that pardons are unjust since justice is not served.  With God’s forgiveness justice is served on the cross and grace is offered in the gospel message.  As Judge He convicts, as King He pardons, and as Savior He takes our penalty and exchanges our sin for His righteousness so that we can be reconciled into an eternal, intimate relationship with God. 

Therefore, when we are forgiven (not just pardoned) through the work of Jesus Christ, we are reconciled to God and begin a whole new relationship with Him.  Growing in that relationship is what discipleship is all about.  It is the purpose of discipleship.  Understanding the difference between pardon and forgiveness turns discipleship from an option to a priority and from a duty to a delight.    

Question for reflection

How should the difference between a pardon and forgiveness affect how we deal with those who have offended us?

^1.  L. Gregory Jones, Embodying Forgiveness:  A Theological Analysis (Grand Rapids, MI:  Eerdmans, 1995),5.