Which New Testament passages echo the themes found in Micah 7:18? Micah 7:18—Our Launch Point “Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in loving devotion.” Theme 1 – A God Who Pardons Iniquity • Matthew 9:2, 6: “Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven… the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” • Acts 13:38–39: “Through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through Him everyone who believes is justified…” • Colossians 2:13: “He forgave us all our trespasses.” • 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Theme 2 – A God Who Passes Over Transgression • John 1:29: “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” • Romans 3:25: “God presented Him as the atoning sacrifice… to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand.” • Hebrews 10:17: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” Theme 3 – A God Slow to Anger • 2 Peter 3:9: “The Lord is not slow concerning His promise… but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish.” • Romans 2:4: “Do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?” • 2 Corinthians 5:19: “God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s trespasses against them.” Theme 4 – A God Who Delights in Loving Devotion • John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son…” • Ephesians 2:4-5: “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us… made us alive with Christ.” • Titus 3:4-5: “When the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us…” Theme 5 – A Unique, Matchless God • 1 Timothy 1:17: “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever.” • Revelation 15:4: “Who will not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy.” • Jude 25: “To the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power, and authority… through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Pulling It Together Micah’s closing shout—“Who is a God like You?”—finds its New-Covenant answer in Christ. The New Testament consistently celebrates the same four facets of God’s character: 1. He freely forgives. 2. He willingly passes over sin through the cross. 3. He is patient, not perpetually angry. 4. He delights to shower His people with steadfast love. Every gospel scene, apostolic sermon, and epistle invitation echoes Micah’s anthem: there is no God like ours. |
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