Forgiveness is not about worthiness, it’s about acceptance

I realize there are things in my life that I absolutely do not deserve. From the time I was young, even now, I’ve received honors that I often feel unworthy of.

I once heard a story of a man who had committed a series of crimes punishable by death. For reasons only he knew, the President of the United States at that time chose to pardon him. But the man refused to accept the pardon. In his mind, he had already settled his fate and was willing to suffer the consequences of his actions.

When the President was told that the man rejected the pardon, he simply responded: “A pardon is only valid if it is accepted.”

That truth struck me deeply. In my own life, there are things I still feel unworthy of, things I’ve struggled to fully accept forgiveness for. But the Lord has already offered me His pardon. And if I don’t accept it, I’ll never step into the fullness of the blessing and freedom He desires for me.

So today, I remind myself, forgiveness is not about worthiness, it’s about acceptance. And when I accept it, I can finally live in the abundant life my Father longs for me to have.