“By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.” Proverbs 16:6

There are two connected, powerful messages in this passage. Both messages answer one question? How is sin, and its effects, eradicated? The first answer to this question is the good news of Jesus Christ. “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness…” A perfect union of mercy and truth is required for the guilt of iniquity to be cancelled, eradicated, purged. No amount of scrubbing, anguished sorrow, or hush money can change what is already done. Truth says, “Sin has been committed. Guilt is real. Punishment must be meted out.” Mercy says, “Put the guilt on my account. Charge me with the sin. Lay on me the deserved punishment.” Mercy and truth join together in the cross of Jesus Christ. When a person comes to an awareness of the staining, damning reality of sin, and they come to the end of the futile effort to absolve, justify, or cover up their sin, Christ becomes precious, because Christ, being full of mercy and truth, is the friend of sinners.