ON PAROLE

Isaiah 55:6-9

Introduction

1.     Presidents and Governors sign pardons before they leave office

2.     Richard Nixon was pardoned by Gerald Ford

3.     Because of overcrowded jails, many are out on parole.

4.     What’s the difference?

Study these words

1.     Definitions

a.     Parole = not forgiveness, grace, remission; just under greater freedom than jail, many restrictions and requirements must be met

b.     Pardon = an executive act of forgiveness, restores basic rights, ends punishment, involves remission, grace, forgiveness

2.     Scriptural Pardon

a.     Executive act – Ephesians 2:4-7

b.     Remission of sins – Ephesians 1:7

c.     Grace – Romans 3:23; Ephesians 2:8

d.     Ends punishment – Romans 8:1

e.     No further restrictions – Romans 7:6

f.      Restores rights – Ephesians 2;19

3.     Why do we want parole?

a.     We are sinful – deserve punishment

b.     Fail to believe in or understand grace

c.     Tied to a legalistic system

                                                    i.     Not sure that full pardon is legal

                                                   ii.     Not deserving of a full pardon