In some countries where the Death Sentence is handed out, there exists a final appeal to the highest authority in the land. It maybe a Governor, King, or President. When all avenues have been exhausted through a countries legal system, then only one cry remains:

Clemency!

This is an act or instance of mercy, compassion, or forgiveness. The prisoner may have been innocent, dealt with unfairly or inappropriately or with prejudice. Sometimes the sentence given does not fit the crime. If the prisoner is granted clemency they may live, sometimes totally released. It is rare that it is ever given but when it is there is great rejoicing… especially by the prisoner. Clemency is a rare ‘gift’.

The most recent in the U.S.A. was on July 1, 2009:

A Missouri man convicted of murdering a hitchhiker in 1977 has walked out of prison more than four years after he was granted clemency.

Just after 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Michael Wayne Ford Sr. was met by his parents, sister and attorney. Ford shook hands with guards, asked for permission to leave and waved as he left.

When he was 20, Ford was one of two men involved in the stabbing death of hitchhiker Larry Sansoucie, whose body was found in Jefferson County well. Ford is now 52 years old.

Former Gov. Joe Teasdale represented Ford for a clemency request. Then-Gov. Bob Holden granted the request in 2004, making Ford eligible for parole. But the parole board denied his release a couple of times before finally letting him go Wednesday.


JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP)

In this case, the man was guilty – he turned his back on society and committed murder – but the sentence was too harsh and clemency was granted. He now has a new lease on life – may he use it well.

You may think, “How does this affect me?” Well, just as the man turned his back on society, so have we all turned our backs on God – this is called sin. Yes, all of us.

All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Romans 3:23

The worse part is that our sins separate us from God for eternity, for ever! The Bible says “The wages of sin is death.” i.e. The only thing we earn and receive in return for sin, is death. Death is a consequence of our sin. Death is the sentence.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23

The Good News, the ‘gift’ from God, is clemency:

But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Romans 10:8-13

Have you put in your claim for clemency?