Have you ever experienced a time when you felt you were too sinful to be loved by God? I know that this sounds absurd to many, but I’ve had times like that. Times when I wondered whether I have sinned too much and God considered me a hopeless case. And why not? Didn’t He bless me so much? Didn’t He instruct me in the way I should go? Didn’t He provide so many channels to strengthen me with His grace?
But despite all of that, I still found a way to make a mess somehow, to hurt people, especially the ones I love.
During times like that, God Himself shows His mercy for me. He knew that by myself, I would have wallowed in despair. And so He makes a way to give me hope.
One way by which He helps me is by letting me read some Bible passages that allow me to see His mercy and love in a whole new light.
Below are three Bible verses that have recently helped me to learn more about the depths of God’s love, especially for sinners:
“Good and upright is the Lord;
therefore he instructs sinners in the way.”
– Psalm 25:8 (NRSVCE)
In the Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition, the passage reads as follows:
“The Lord is sweet and righteous: therefore he will give a law to sinners in the way.” – Psalm 24:8 (DRA)
I couldn’t agree more! The Lord is indeed sweet and righteous. And He is good and upright! He is so good that He instructs sinners so that they may learn what is right. He gives His commandments that we may walk the path that leads to salvation.
What struck me here was that the Lord is concerned not only with righteous people, but even with those who are considered to be “sinners”.
God could have simply turned away and let the lost be lost forever. But He is concerned even with those who are not yet walking the right path. And that includes me!
We can never reason that God doesn’t see us. We can never hate God for forgetting us and just being concerned with the holy ones. God’s love covers even those who are lost!
So wherever you may be in your spiritual journey right now, just know that God also loves you and cares for you.
“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.” Mark 2:17 (NRSVCE)
This was the response of Jesus to the Pharisees who asked why He was eating with tax collectors and sinners.
These Pharisees who were so concerned with the law may have found it very difficult to know why someone who is righteous like Jesus Christ would mingle with those considered to be sinners.
But Jesus had His own reasons. In the above verse, He considered Himself as the Divine Physician who is concerned with those who are sick. For Him, it is not right that one should just ignore those who need help. On the contrary, they should be assisted and brought into healing.
Isn’t it wonderful to have a God who loves like that?
“If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing.” – 1 John 1:9 (NABRE)
This last verse is very direct when it comes to acknowledging one’s sinfulness. Here, one does not deny one’s sins. One does not claim holiness. A person simply admits one’s sins with sincerity and humility and God will forgive one’s wrongdoing.
For sinners who may feel afraid of approaching God, hold on to His mercy and righteousness. He will not turn you away.
Remember the parable of the prodigal son and think about the father who waits for his son and welcomes him with open arms when he returns. God is like that father! And He loves you.
I hope that these Bible verses have also helped you realize the depths of God’s love and mercy for you, even if you consider yourself a sinner.
Don’t turn away. Cast aside your fears. God is waiting to receive you with open arms!
Jocelyn Soriano is the author of Mend My Broken Heart, Defending My Catholic Faith and 366 Days of Compassion. She also writes about faith and writing at Single Catholic Writer.
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