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Pardon
Me
Gerald
R. Ford, 38th President of the United
States, and the ONLY one not elected to the office or
the vice presidency, died at his home in Rancho
Mirage, CA, last Tuesday evening, at the age of 93.
Ford
became president during a turbulent time in U.S.
history. President
Richard Nixon had just resigned in disgrace having
been implicated in what has become known as “the
Watergate Scandal.”
Ford, Nixon’s hand-picked vice president,
then became President.
“My
fellow Americans,” Ford addressed the nation, “our
long national nightmare is over.
Our Constitution works.
Our great republic is a government of laws and
not of men. Here
the people rule.”
Ford’s
two-year term as president was most noted for what he
did regarding his predecessor’s apparent misdeeds....
On September 8, 1974, before television cameras
with a nationwide audience, President Ford said, “My
conscience tells me it is my duty not merely to
proclaim domestic tranquility but to use every means
that I have to ensure it.”
Then Ford read a statement which included these
lines: “Now, THEREFORE, I, GERALD R. FORD, President
of the United States, pursuant to the pardon power
conferred upon me by Article II, Section 2, of the
Constitution, have granted and by these presents do
grant a full,
free, and absolute pardon unto Richard Nixon for
all offenses against the United States which he,
Richard Nixon, has committed or may have committed or
taken part in during the period from January 20, 1969
through August 9,1974.”
Ford’s
decision to pardon Nixon for any crimes committed
while in office brought a lot of derision at the time,
but many historians now view it as an action that
brought a lot of healing to the country.
His
former opponent and former President, Jimmy Carter,
said of Ford: “An outstanding statesman, he wisely
chose the path of healing during a deeply divisive
time in our nation’s history.”
President Bush echoed: “With his quiet
integrity, common sense and kind instincts, President
Ford helped heal our land and restore public
confidence in the presidency.”
Debates
could – and do – continue concerning the
consequences and punishment for various crimes
committed, but…
Pardon
me, I
need to be pardoned! And, so do YOU!
“For
ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”
(Romans 3:23). But
due to the love of God, Jesus paid the price for your
sins and mine (1 John 2:2).
Through
Jesus, each of us may receive a full, free, and
absolute pardon.
And He will pardon those who believe
in Him (Acts 16:30-31), repent
of sin (Acts 17:30-31), confess
Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized
(immersed) in His name for the forgiveness of sins
(Acts 2:38). He
will continue to pardon those who continue to strive
to follow Him faithfully (1 John 1:7).
Many
believe Ford’s pardon of Nixon brought healing to
our nation at the cost of his own re-election.
Christ’s pardon, which came at the cost of
His own LIFE, can also bring needed healing to our
SOUL.
Won’t
YOU
submit to Him and receive His pardon today?
David A.
Sargent, Minister
Church of Christ at Creekwood
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama 36695
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