Three Steps To Gaining God's Mercy

"I was shown mercy, because I was ignorant and acted with a lack of faith," wrote Paul. (1 Timothy 1:13) His frank expression brings us to the first step required for gaining God's forgiveness-lifting the veil of ignorance by getting an accurate knowledge of Jehovah and his standards as outlined in the Bible. (2 Timothy 3:16, 17) To be sure, we cannot please our Creator if we do not know him well. "This means everlasting life," said Jesus in prayer to his Father, "their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ." - John 17:3.

When honesthearted ones gain that knowledge, they deeply regret their past wrongs and are moved to express heartfelt repentance. That is the second step toward gaining God's forgiveness. Says Acts 3:19: "Repent, therefore, and turn around so as to get your sins blotted out."

That verse also mentions the third step-turning around. To turn around means to abandon one's old ways and attitudes and to adopt God's standards and viewpoints. (Acts 26:20) Simply put, a person shows by his new way of life that he really means it when he says to God, "I am sorry."

Next time: God Is Not All-Forgiving

Awake! 2008