Jesus Christ (1) shared what His purpose was for coming to Earth when He proclaimed in Luke 19:10, "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” He came to SAVE THE LOST . . . So, who did that include? Everybody! Jesus came to Earth as God (2) made flesh to give every person an opportunity to spend eternity with Him in Heaven (3). Now that's MERCY!

In Ephesians 2:4-5, Christ's Ambassador In Chains (4) - the great Apostle Paul - refers to the mercy of God in terms of salvation: "But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved." 2 Peter 3:9 shares, “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

The preceding Scriptures - and many more listed herein - exhort that God is, indeed, merciful. They announce that spending eternity rejoicing in His Kingdom is attainable. 2,000 years ago, He sent His Son to save us from a certain eternal anguish. As an alternative to that perpetual torment, Christ's Crucifixion (5) and Resurrection (6) opened the gates of Heaven, where God wants all of us to spend forever together with Him as His adopted children. But of the many things that God makes unmistakably clear to us, one of them is this: As we're created in His Image (Genesis 1:27),  if we expect others to be merciful toward us, we are to extend mercy upon others as well. See our Forgiveness (7) page for much more on this topic.

Explore below for dozens of related Old Testament (8) and New Testament (9) Bible verses.

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If you're seeking additional info about Christianity on a more personal level, consider visiting a Christian Church here in Marion County (10). Introduce yourself to members and ask to speak with someone to learn more about Jesus. Surrendering your life to Christ (11) (a) is the most rewarding, everlasting decision you'll ever make, and it's comforting to have someone guide you as you begin your new life as a child of the Most High! May God shower you with great favor in this endeavor!

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Footnotes, Page Credits and External Resources appear below. Consider printing and sharing the offered PDF narrative and other listed resources with family, friends and strangers alike for use in Bible Studies (12), Home/Church Faith Sharing Groups (13), Discipleship Encounters (14) and/or Personal Faith Enrichment! Modifications are welcome at goodnews@marionmannaproject.com.

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Genesis 19:16, Genesis 43:14, Exodus 23:1, Exodus 33:19, Deuteronomy 4:31, Deuteronomy 7:2, Deuteronomy 13:17, Joshua 11:20, 2 Samuel 24:14, 1 Kings 8:28, 1 Kings 8:50, 1 Kings 20:31, 1 Chronicles 21:13, 2 Chronicles 6:19, Nehemiah 9:31, Nehemiah 13:22, Esther 4:8, Job 9:15, Job 27:22, Job 41:3, Psalm 4:1, Psalm 6:2, Psalm 6:9, Psalm 9:13, Psalm 25:6, Psalm 26:11, Psalm 27:7, Psalm 28:2, Psalm 28:6, Psalm 30:8, Psalm 30:10, Psalm 31:9, Psalm 31:22, Psalm 40:11, Psalm 41:4, Psalm 41:10, Psalm 51:1-19, Psalm 56:1, Psalm 57:1, Psalm 59:5, Psalm 69:16, Psalm 77:9, Psalm 78:38, Psalm 79:8, Psalm 86:3, Psalm 86:6, Psalm 86:16, Psalm 106:46, Psalm 116:1, Psalm 119:132, Psalm 123:2, Psalm 123:3, Psalm 130:2, Psalm 140:6, Psalm 142:1, Psalm 143:1, Proverbs 6:34, Proverbs 18:23, Proverbs 21:10, Proverbs 28:13, Isaiah 13:18, Isaiah 43:14, Isaiah 47:6, Isaiah 55:7, Isaiah 63:9, Jeremiah 6:23, Jeremiah 13:14, Jeremiah 21:7, Jeremiah 50:42, Lamentations 3:22-23, Daniel 2:18, Daniel 9:9, Daniel 9:18, Hosea 6:6, Amos 5:15, Micah 6:8, Micah 7:18, Habakkuk 1:17, Habakkuk 3:2, Zechariah 1:12, Zechariah 1:16, and Zechariah 7:9.

Matthew 5:7, Matthew 9:13, Matthew 9:27, Matthew 12:7, Matthew 15:22, Matthew 17:15, Matthew 18:21-35, Matthew 20:30-31, Matthew 20:31, Matthew 23:23, Mark 5:19, Mark 10:47, Mark 10:48, Luke 1:50, Luke 1:54, Luke 1:58, Luke 1:72, Luke 1:78, Luke 6:36, Luke 10:37, Luke 18:13, Luke 18:38, Luke 18:39, Romans 1:31, Romans 9:15, Romans 9:16, Romans 9:18, Romans 9:23, Romans 11:30, Romans 11:31, Romans 11:32, Romans 12:1, Romans 12:8, Romans 15:9, 1 Corinthians 7:25, 1 Corinthians 10:13, 2 Corinthians 4:1, Galatians 6:16, Ephesians 2:4, Philippians 2:27, 1 Timothy 1:2, 1 Timothy 1:13, 1 Timothy 1:16, 2 Timothy 1:2, 2 Timothy 1:16, 2 Timothy 1:18, Titus 3:5, Hebrews 2:17, Hebrews 4:16, Hebrews 10:28, James 2:13, James 3:17, James 5:11, 1 Peter 1:3, 1 Peter 2:10, 2 Peter 3:9, 1 John 1:9, 2 John 1:3, Jude 1:2, and Jude 1:20-25.

FOOTNOTES:

  (1) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/jesus-christ

  (2) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/God-of-the-bible

  (3) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/heaven

  (4) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/ambassador-in-chains

  (5) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/crucifixion-of-christ

  (6) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/resurrection-of-jesus

  (7) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/forgiveness

  (8) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/old-testament

  (9) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/new-testament

(10) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/listing-by-city

(11) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/the-gracious-visitor

(12) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/bible-studies

(13) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/christian-education

(14) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/discipleship

EXTERNAL RESOURCES:

 (a)  How Do I Convert to Christianity?, Got Questions Ministries, accessed January 12, 2020    https://www.gotquestions.org/convert-to-Christianity.html