I was shown mercy
because I acted in ignorance.
—1 Timothy 1:13
Bill had avoided traffic for months by taking a back-alley shortcut. There was a no-trespassing notice posted, but he never saw it. He was ticketed and had to pay the fine, even though his infraction was unintentional.
In Old Testament days, law violation, even if committed unintentionally, required a sin sacrifice (Lv 4).
In the New Testament, Paul is the poster boy for God’s grace: “Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly” (1 Tm 1:13–14).
Forgive the sins I have confessed to Thee;
Forgive the secret sins I do not see.
—C.M. Battersby
Thank God for his grace.
Grace delivers us from
a penalty we deserve.