What other scriptures highlight God's mercy and forgiveness for past sins? Paul’s Testimony of Mercy (1 Timothy 1:13) “Even though I was once a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man, yet because I had acted in ignorance and unbelief, I was shown mercy.” Paul’s past proves that no history of sin is too dark for God’s compassion. Mercy Revealed in the Law and the Writings • Exodus 34:6-7 – “The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness … forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin.” • Psalm 32:1-2 – “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” • Psalm 103:10-12 – “He has not dealt with us according to our sins … As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” • Psalm 86:5 – “You, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in loving devotion to all who call on You.” Prophets Announce Total Cleansing • Isaiah 1:18 – “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” • Isaiah 43:25 – “I, yes I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake and remembers your sins no more.” • Micah 7:18-19 – “You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.” • Jeremiah 31:34 – “For I will forgive their iniquity and will remember their sins no more.” • Daniel 9:9 – “To the Lord our God belong compassion and forgiveness.” Jesus’ Earthly Ministry: Mercy in Action • Luke 5:20 – To a paralyzed man: “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” • Luke 7:48 – To a repentant woman: “Your sins are forgiven.” • Luke 15 (sheep, coin, prodigal) – The Shepherd, Woman, and Father all rejoice over the found and forgiven. • Luke 23:34 – “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” The Cross and the New Covenant • Acts 3:19 – “Repent therefore … so that your sins may be wiped away.” • Romans 5:8 – “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” • Ephesians 1:7 – “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses.” • Colossians 2:13-14 – “He forgave us all our trespasses, having canceled the record of debt.” • Hebrews 8:12 – “I will forgive their iniquities and will remember their sins no more.” • 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.” From Former Life to New Life • 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 – “Such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified.” • Titus 3:3-5 – “But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us … according to His mercy.” Living in Forgiven Freedom • A clean record: sin remembered no more (Hebrews 10:17). • A new identity: not defined by past failure (2 Corinthians 5:17). • A daily assurance: the same mercy that saved continues to sustain (Lamentations 3:22-23). Scripture layers mercy upon mercy, from Paul’s story in 1 Timothy 1:13 to the final promise of sins forgotten forever. |
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