The Mercy of God: Manifested: To Repentant Sinners
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The mercy of God is a central theme throughout the Scriptures, revealing His compassionate and forgiving nature towards humanity. This divine attribute is particularly evident in His dealings with repentant sinners, showcasing His willingness to forgive and restore those who turn back to Him with contrite hearts.

Old Testament Examples

1. David's Repentance: King David's life provides a profound example of God's mercy towards a repentant sinner. After his grievous sins involving Bathsheba and Uriah, David was confronted by the prophet Nathan. In response, David repented sincerely, as recorded in Psalm 51, where he pleads for God's mercy: "Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving devotion; according to Your great compassion, blot out my transgressions" (Psalm 51:1). God's forgiveness is evident as He spares David's life and continues to use him for His purposes.

2. Nineveh's Repentance: The city of Nineveh, known for its wickedness, experienced God's mercy when its people repented at the preaching of Jonah. Jonah 3:10 states, "When God saw their actions—that they had turned from their evil ways—He relented from the disaster He had threatened to bring upon them" . This account highlights God's readiness to forgive even a city steeped in sin when genuine repentance is demonstrated.

New Testament Examples

1. The Prodigal Son: Jesus' parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32 illustrates God's mercy towards repentant sinners. The younger son, after squandering his inheritance, returns to his father in repentance. The father's response is one of compassion and forgiveness, symbolizing God's joy and mercy in welcoming back those who repent: "But while he was still in the distance, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him" (Luke 15:20).

2. The Woman Caught in Adultery: In John 8:1-11, Jesus demonstrates God's mercy when confronted with a woman caught in adultery. After her accusers leave, Jesus tells her, "Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more" (John 8:11). This encounter underscores the mercy available to those who turn away from sin and seek a new path.

3. The Apostle Paul: Formerly known as Saul, Paul was a persecutor of Christians before his dramatic conversion. In 1 Timothy 1:15-16, Paul acknowledges the mercy he received: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst. But for this very reason I was shown mercy, so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His perfect patience" . Paul's transformation and subsequent ministry are testaments to God's boundless mercy.

Theological Insights

The mercy of God towards repentant sinners is a testament to His unchanging character. It reflects His desire for all to come to repentance and be reconciled to Him. As stated in 2 Peter 3:9, "The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance" . This divine patience and mercy are foundational to the Christian understanding of salvation and forgiveness.

Throughout Scripture, God's mercy is not merely an abstract concept but a lived reality, demonstrated time and again in His interactions with humanity. It is a source of hope and encouragement for all who seek forgiveness and restoration through repentance.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Psalm 32:5
I acknowledge my sin to you, and my iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions to the LORD; and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
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Proverbs 28:13
He that covers his sins shall not prosper: but whoever confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy.
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Isaiah 55:7
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
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Luke 15:18-20
I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before you,
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Library

The Prodigal Son.
... It is evident that God, as specially manifested in the ... such a conviction regarding
the mind of God towards erring ... bring them in clouds to his mercy-seat, like ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/xxiv the prodigal son.htm

A Colloquy Between a Penitent and God
... as originating in departure from God, and manifested in perverted ... 1-4). We see here
how God meets the ... backsliding children.' It is tenderest mercy that lets us ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/a colloquy between a penitent.htm

On the Use of Ointments and Crowns.
... He means that disciple to whom was shown mercy, and by ... not, they shall know to be
the loving God the Lord ... Word, and wished His power to be manifested to Moses ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter viii on the use of.htm

Oration on the Holy Lights.
... to repentance; [4001] Who will have mercy rather than ... severed from and made hostile
to God by sin. ... Who manifested Himself on earth, and manifested Himself also ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xxxix oration on the.htm

Psalm LI.
... and hidden things" of His wisdom He manifested to him. ... to apostatize from God, not
to worship one God, or never ... full art thou of the fatness of mercy, that for ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm li.htm

The Revelation
... The zeal manifested at this time by the followers of Jesus has been recorded by
the ... John saw the mercy, the tenderness, and the love of God blending with ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 57 the revelation.htm

What is the Sanctuary?
... this apartment the divine presence was manifested in the ... and sprinkled it upon the
mercy-seat, directly ... the daily ministration to present before God the blood ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /23 what is the sanctuary.htm

What is the Sanctuary?
... this apartment the divine presence was manifested in the ... and sprinkled it upon the
mercy seat, directly ... the daily ministration to present before God the blood ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 23 what is the.htm

Calvary
... presence of God. In this place the Shekinah had dwelt. Here God had
manifested His glory above the mercy seat. No one but ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 78 calvary.htm

Lydia, the First European Convert
... to sinners who come and cast themselves upon His mercy! This much kissing also means
much love manifested. God's people do not always know the greatness of His ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/lydia the first european convert.htm

Resources
What is Divine Mercy Sunday? | GotQuestions.org

What does it means that mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2:13)? | GotQuestions.org

What is the spiritual gift of mercy? | GotQuestions.org

Mercy: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Mercy

Mercy: After the Example of God

Mercy: Beneficial to Those Who Exercise

Mercy: Blessedness of Showing

Mercy: Characteristic of Saints

Mercy: David to Saul

Mercy: Denunciations Against Those Devoid of

Mercy: Enjoined

Mercy: General Scriptures Concerning

Mercy: Hypocrites Devoid of

Mercy: Joshua to Rahab

Mercy: should be Shown with Cheerfulness

Mercy: should be Shown: To Animals

Mercy: should be Shown: To Backsliders

Mercy: should be Shown: To Our Brethren

Mercy: should be Shown: To the Poor

Mercy: should be Shown: To Those That are in Distress

Mercy: The Israelites to the Man of Beth-El

Mercy: The Prison Keeper, to Joseph

Mercy: To be Engraved on the Heart

Mercy: Upholds the Throne of Kings

The Mercy of God is his Delight

The Mercy of God is Part of his Character

The Mercy of God: A Ground of Hope

The Mercy of God: A Ground of Trust

The Mercy of God: Abundant

The Mercy of God: Epaphroditus

The Mercy of God: Everlasting

The Mercy of God: Filling the Earth

The Mercy of God: Great

The Mercy of God: High As Heaven

The Mercy of God: Lot

The Mercy of God: Manifested in Long-Suffering

The Mercy of God: Manifested in Salvation

The Mercy of God: Manifested in the Sending of Christ

The Mercy of God: Manifested with Everlasting Kindness

The Mercy of God: Manifested: To his People

The Mercy of God: Manifested: To Repentant Sinners

The Mercy of God: Manifested: To Returning Backsliders

The Mercy of God: Manifested: To the Afflicted

The Mercy of God: Manifested: To the Fatherless

The Mercy of God: Manifested: To Them That Fear Him

The Mercy of God: Manifested: To Whom he Will

The Mercy of God: Manifold

The Mercy of God: New Every Morning

The Mercy of God: Over all his Works

The Mercy of God: Paul

The Mercy of God: Plenteous

The Mercy of God: Rich

The Mercy of God: should be Magnified

The Mercy of God: should be Pleaded in Prayer

The Mercy of God: should be Rejoiced In

The Mercy of God: should be Sought for Others

The Mercy of God: should be Sought for Ourselves

The Mercy of God: Sure

The Mercy of God: Tender

The Mercy of God: Typified: Mercy Seat

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Jok'the-el (1 Occurrence)

The-oph'ilus (2 Occurrences)

The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence)

Ko'hathites (19 Occurrences)

Kohathite (18 Occurrences)

Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences)

Zin (9 Occurrences)

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Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences)

Vintage (14 Occurrences)

Kore (4 Occurrences)

Knives (12 Occurrences)

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Kareah (14 Occurrences)

Vegetation (18 Occurrences)

Kanah (3 Occurrences)

Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences)

Vicinity (18 Occurrences)

Zeboim (7 Occurrences)

Kadeshbarnea (9 Occurrences)

Kare'ah (14 Occurrences)

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Home-born (14 Occurrences)

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Victorious (17 Occurrences)

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Kebar (8 Occurrences)

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Zeru'iah (24 Occurrences)

Kei'lah (16 Occurrences)

24000 (10 Occurrences)

Vapor (6 Occurrences)

Vanished (13 Occurrences)

Verdict (7 Occurrences)

Violated (23 Occurrences)

Knop (4 Occurrences)

Visiting (10 Occurrences)

Zaphon (4 Occurrences)

Zephani'ah (10 Occurrences)

Zaccur (10 Occurrences)

Koz (5 Occurrences)

Kadmiel (8 Occurrences)

The Mercy of God: Manifested: To his People
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