However perceived by men, the matter of “pardons” involve actions done which are considered personal, social, political and/or legal. Such actions involve something done which, at the least, are either immoral, illegal, improper, embarrassing, undeserved and/or inconveniencing to another person or group of people.
The “pardon” does not deny the truth nor reality of the action. It merely acknowledges that action, but instead of imposing some type of “penalty” for the “pardon,” it simply releases that “offending” person or group from subsequent punishment for said action(s).
Key to any “pardon” is the alleged “perpetrator’s” admission to the “alleged” improper action. If the alleged “perpetrator(s) is never adjudicated, then how can he/she/they properly and officially be pardoned?
To seek to “pardon” said person, or group of persons, an action never brought to “trial” becomes an illegal act of itself! It is self-contradictory! Likewise, to prevent said persons or group from being adjudicated is also an illegal act! In both cases, justice is not served! And if justice is not properly served between human beings by human beings, then that entire series of actions become subject the higher court of divine judgment!
Even if said inappropriate actions have not been acknowledged by the person(s) or group affected, the truth and consequences of said actions are still known and accountable to God – the eternal judge.
In reality, God – the eternal judge – is already aware of the “litigious” issues of this matter. True “pardoning” of any infraction between man and man and God and man can only be done on God’s terms. Any other effort to do so would be inadmissible in the courts of heaven.
While “pardoning” may “resolve” the personal or group “judgment,” forgiveness is ultimately an act of God. Even the act of “pardoning” presupposes a “punishment” to be applied for some inappropriate action previously taken. How then can a valid “pardon” be done without verification and validation of an action made or done if the person(s) involved have never been accused of and/or validated to have committed said action(s)?
Pardoning does not, nor cannot, erase the truth of an offense. It can at best remove the penalty for that offense. The truth, impact and the results of that offense are still to be experienced by those who were offended.
Meanwhile, the “pardoned offender” literally goes scot-free – with impunity! Still both pardoner and offender are accountable to almighty God.
Fast forward to today. How legitimate, how legally and morally valid is it for a “self-perpetrator” to absolve himself/herself of a heavenly offense? After all, don’t the earthly moral codes gain their validity and power for the heavenly moral codes affirmed in the Ten Commandments?
That being so, then how valid is a “human pardon” for interhuman actions when the proposed “pardoner” has failed to comply with the heavenly moral codes himself/herself? Isn’t there something in the human legal codes that require admission and/or conviction of established law having been established in order to “pardon” a person for said infraction?
When have those potential “to be pardoned” persons ever been adjudicated for the infractions that they are being considered for “pardon?” How can a person be pardoned for an infraction, even crime, that they have never been adjudicated for?
And if adjudicated and found guilty, how can said guilty person(s) pardon themselves? Such actions would be a blatant abuse and desecration of true justice.
The origin of forgiveness is in the heart of God, and not the laws of man. Forgiveness transcends pardons! Forgiveness is the law of God in operation in the lives of man. Forgiveness occurs when God’s forgiveness of him is shared by forgiving others who have wronged him. The Lord’s Prayer clarifies the process of forgiveness when it states, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly farther will also forgive you.” That clearly places God’s forgiveness of you on you forgiving those who have wronged you.
Forgiveness does not overlook the breaking of the law, even God’s laws. Instead, forgiveness affirms that God’s law has been broken, and that a penalty must still be paid. But in God’s law of forgiveness, he has already provided a means for that penalty to be paid through a “substitute.” Another human person who assumes and suffers the penalty in another’s place. In other words, someone else pays the penalty for that confirmed offender. That’s what Jesus Christ did on the cross of Calvary.
Forgiveness, on the other hand, although similar to a “pardon,” differs from a “pardon.” Every action made by, between, toward or against another person or group of people that is not in harmony with the “guidelines of human behavior” established and enforced by the word, will and way of God has divine consequences.
However the “offended” person, or group of people, addresses and deals with that improper action, that/those improper action(s) are still yet to be “adjudicated” by the true supreme court of heaven! And God, the supreme judge, will “adjudicate” the true facts of the action and accusation and the appropriate consequential judgment.
Forgiveness allows and enables a “fallen” person to rise above his own sinful behavior. It also enables that “fallen” person to help others rise above and beyond the impact of their previously “broken law” infractions and consequences.
Forgiveness enables a “fallen” person to forgive those who have “trespassed” against them. Forgiveness provides pathways for cooperative living and personal emotional and spiritual growth. Forgiveness allows and enables “fallen” people to rise together to levels of personal, emotional, social, and spiritual maturity.
Extend forgiveness to others, rather than unwarranted and unrepentant pardons.
Pardons don’t replace the damage. Forgiveness restores broken relationships.
Pastor Samuel W. Hale, Jr. is the former pastor of Zion Missionary Baptist Church and president of J.L. Powell Mission Ministries.
This article appears in October 22-28, 2026.
