What would motivate this man to pardon in full all of those indebted to him? I did not know Dr. Hall personally. But I imagine that it was not only the generosity and goodness of his heart that prompted him to do this amazing deed. I think that he had personally experienced God’s pardon and forgiveness and was offering forgiveness to others.

The Word of God says, “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). We all need God’s pardon and forgiveness. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ Our Lord” (Romans 6:23). “But the Lord will redeem those who serve him. Everyone who trusts him will be freely pardoned” (Psalm 34:22 NLT).

Dr. Hall extended mercy to those who were indebted to him. Mercy is undeserved forgiveness. I have had the privilege of being in court a few times and witness mercy first hand. A criminal, standing before the judge on his third serious offense, is facing many years in the penitentiary. The criminal knows how serious it is. The judge has every right under the law to throw the book at him. Instead, to the guilty one’s astonishment, the judge shows mercy. Every time this occurs I am reminded of God’s forgiveness.

Dr. Hall stated that his pardon would go into effect on the date of his death. God has had mercy upon us. We have a Savior whose sacrifice made atonement for all our sins. Bleeding, in agony, and with the forces of hell raging against Him, the precious Lamb of God asked for mercy – not for Himself but for you and me. He said “Father, forgive them” (Luke 23:34). Now we must respond to that atonement in order to receive mercy and pardon. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9, 10).

An amazing thing about Dr. Hall’s pardon was that whether one owed him a few dollars or several thousand dollars, he declared that upon his death the debt would be considered paid in full. You may think that your debts and sins are too great to be forgiven. Jesus declared, “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and the one who comes to me I will by no means cast out” (John 6:37).

The Great Awakening preacher, Jonathan Edwards, said, “Christ will not refuse to save the greatest sinner – who in right manner come to God for mercy – for this is His work. He did not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance (see Mark 2:17). Sin is the very evil which He came into the world to remedy. The sinfulness of man was the reason of Christ’s coming into the world; this is the misery from which He came to deliver men.” Those most sick need the physician the most.

Perhaps Dr. Hall knew that for us to receive forgiveness we must also forgive those who are our debtors. Jesus taught in The Lord’s Prayer, “And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors” (Matthew 6:12). “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14, 15).

Have you received your pardon? Call upon Him in Faith and repentance. Don’t delay. Tomorrow may be too late.