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Dr. Jim Denison’s April 28, 2017 Daily Commentary reported on the tragic but surprisingly inspiring story of Kenneth Williams’ execution. He was sentenced to life in prison for killing a cheerleader. He escaped in 1999 and was involved in a tragic traffic accident that took the life of Michael Greenwood. While on the run, he murdered Cecil Boren. Williams was convicted of the additional crimes and eventually put to death for his crimes in Arkansas just before I read Denison’s commentary.

A short time before his execution, one of his victim’s daughters, Kayla, learned Williams had not seen his 21-year-old daughter for 17 years and had never met his 3-year-old granddaughter. In an extraordinary act of kindness, Greenwood’s family bought plane tickets for Williams’ daughter and granddaughter so they could travel from Washington state to visit him the day before his execution.

Kayla Greenwood sent a message to Williams through his attorney. She said, “I told him we forgive him and where I stood on it.” When Williams found out what they were doing, he cried.

After being sent to prison, Williams had become a Christian. He told an interviewer how he had been: “stabilized and sustained by the inner peace and forgiveness I’ve received through a relationship with Jesus Christ.” When he appeared before his review board, Williams admitted he didn’t expect clemency but wanted them to know he was no longer the person he once was. He said, “God has transformed me, and even the worst of us can be reformed and renewed. Revealing these truths meant more to me than being granted clemency. I’m still going to eventually die someday, but to stand up for God in front of man, that’s my victory.”

Though he seemed sincere, only God knows whether William’s prison conversion was genuine or merely an attempt to receive mercy. This does not change the reality that no one, regardless of how badly they have sinned, is beyond the reach of God’s grace. The Apostle John put it this way, “…if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” (1 John 1:9, NLT) Many passages in Scripture make the same point: if we have been forgiven for our sins, we must forgive those who have sinned against us.

I have never killed anyone, but I’ve hurt those I love on more than one occasion with thoughtless words and actions. At times, I have selfishly pursued my own ideas without considering others’ needs. By most people’s standards, I’m a nice guy, but by God’s standards, I don’t measure up.

Like Williams, I also deserve God’s judgment, but need his mercy. We’re all in the same boat, and this is why everyone should be grateful for God’s grace. His eagerness to forgive us should instill hope and inspire us all to forgive one another.