In 2025, I plan to periodically continue the series on effective churches I’ve visited. But today, I want to reflect on the recent pardon of Hunter Biden and what it reveals about the ultimate pardon offered by our Heavenly Father.
Earlier this month, President Joe Biden issued what the media termed “a sweeping pardon” for his son Hunter. As a result, Hunter Biden will not face consequences for crimes he was convicted of, including falsifying a document to purchase a firearm and failing to pay an estimated $1.4 million in income taxes. The president went further by exonerating his son from prosecution for any additional crimes he may have committed since 2014, no matter how egregious.
As a father, I can understand President Biden’s actions. I would be deeply distressed if one of my sons faced imprisonment. If I had the ability to spare him that suffering, I imagine I would pardon him—regardless of public opinion. A loving father instinctively wants the best for his children and seeks to shield them from pain.
But imagine if Hunter Biden refused to accept the pardon and chose instead to face full prosecution. Or consider the 37 death row inmates who received clemency from President Biden; what if any of them rejected the opportunity for life without parole and opted instead to face the electric chair? We would view such decisions as incomprehensible and foolish.
The truth is, all of us, like Hunter Biden, have broken the law—not of the land, but of God. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). The Bible warns that the penalty for our sin is death (Romans 6:23; Ezekiel 18:20).
Thankfully, our Heavenly Father offers us a pardon. “He does not delight in the death of the wicked but wants everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 4:9-10).
When Jesus was crucified, God “laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6). In Christ, God was “reconciling the world to Himself” (2 Corinthians 5:19). Before Jesus took His final breath, He declared, “It is finished.” Sin was paid for in full. God’s wrath was satisfied. God’s justice was honored.
The cross provided a perfect, abundant, and just pardon. So, “Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and He will have mercy on them, and to our God, for He will freely pardon” (Isaiah 55:7).
God’s pardon is abundant and absolute, washing away every sin we’ve ever committed or will commit. “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). However, notice that God’s pardon is not unconditional. To receive His grace, you must put your faith in Jesus Christ (John 3:16; Acts 16:31) and repent—turn away from sin (Luke 13:3; Acts 3:19). He doesn’t require perfection, but He does require a change of direction.
On the Day of Pentecost when those responsible for crucifying the Messiah, were convicted of their horrific sin, they cried out, “What shall we do?” Peter didn’t respond, “Don’t worry, God’s grace automatically covers your sin; God has given a sweeping pardon to all.”
Peter responded, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call” (Acts 2:38-39).
Tragically, many choose not to accept this pardon. Instead, they rely on their good deeds or gamble on the alternative, believing they can face God’s judgment on their own merits. Such a decision is not just risky—it is eternally foolish.
If you have not yet accepted God’s grace and redemption, I pray you make that decision today. His pardon is freely available, and His mercy is abundant.
By God’s Word at last my sin I learned;
Then I trembled at the Law I’d spurned,
Till my guilty soul imploring turned, to Calvary.
Mercy there was great, and grace was free;
Pardon there was multiplied to me;
There my burdened soul found liberty, at Calvary.
(“At Calvary” Hymn by William Newell)
Bob Russell is a retired senior pastor of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky,