The news last week was full of Donald Trump returning to the White House for his second term as US president. One of the first things he did was to issue a series of presidential pardons. As president, he is able to grant full pardons for crimes committed against the United States. Many people have understandably questioned how pardons can be granted. We understand the need for justice. Whenever we do wrong there is always a price to be paid. We understand the guilty should be punished. Indeed, one woman, so conscious of this, refused her pardon. However, when a pardon or forgiveness is granted, it is not that no-one pays the cost, but the price is paid by the one who has been wronged.
A similar question could be asked of God. How can he possibly pardon the guilty? Paul has spent several chapters in the book of Romans arguing that all humanity is guilty before God and that he is completely just to punish sin. Yet, as we come towards the end of Romans 3, we are told that God freely justifies those who have faith in Christ. Chapter 3:25-26 tell us how God can do this:
“God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood…so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.”
As Jesus dies on the cross, he is taking all of God’s anger at sin and appeasing his wrath. Anyone who trusts in Christ can be sure that God will pardon them because Jesus has borne the punishment we deserve. What a relief to know God is just. If Jesus has paid for your sin on the cross, you can be completely confident that God can never punish you.