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Intention

To put our trust solely in God’s mercy through the blood of Jesus.

Scripture

“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”

– Isaiah 1:18 (NIV)

Reflection

God takes no pleasure in the punishment of the wicked. Scripture makes clear that his heart is not bent toward destruction but toward restoration. Yet justice must be satisfied. Evil without consequence is not justice, and a God who refuses to address wickedness would not be righteous. Therefore, he acts—not out of delight, but out of fidelity to his own holiness.

But equal to God’s righteousness is his immeasurable mercy. His desire is that none should perish, but that all should come to repentance and receive the mercy he freely offers. Mercy is the only path to redemption; without it, no human being could stand. As Scripture teaches, “By the grace of God, we are saved.”

There are indeed degrees of evil. The taking of innocent human life is a grave and devastating wrong. Exploiting another person for personal gain is evil. Sexual sin is not only rebellion against God’s design but a violation of one’s own body. Leading a child into sin is counted among the gravest of offences — Christ himself said it would be better to have a millstone tied around one’s neck and be cast into the sea than to cause a little one to stumble. Sin is serious.

Even my own irritability after a poor night’s sleep is sinful. It is fleshly, and it burdens others with an atmosphere they do not deserve. Yet while such a failing is real, it does not inflict the kind of harm that murder or exploitation inflicts upon the world.

Nevertheless, whether it is my impatience or another’s violence, all sin falls short of the glory of God. I stand in need of grace just as surely as the murderer or the adulterer.

There are degrees of evil, but there are no degrees of mercy. The blood of Jesus does not discriminate; it is the great equaliser. From the worst of criminals to the person striving to live morally in their own strength, salvation requires only this: to call upon the name of the Lord. When a repentant heart meets divine mercy, forgiveness floods in like a river. Sins once scarlet are washed white as snow. Guilt is removed as far as the east is from the west, and God’s love restores the soul completely.

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Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you that your love made a way through your Son, Jesus Christ to remove our sin from us, as far as the east is from the west.

Thank you for the privilege it is to carry the message of salvation and make it known to a lost world.

May we, as partakers of mercy, spread this message to all who yearn to hear it, so the lost may be found.

Amen.

Author Bio

Michelle Pearce has been the CEO of the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) since 2023. ACL strategically lobbies law and policymakers around Australia to ensure that Christian values influence the way Australians are governed and conduct business. As a dynamic leader and speaker, she is passionate about changing culture and transforming society through the truth of the gospel.

Prayer Points for 21 Days for Life 2026

1. The Holy Spirit to transform our culture so that the shedding of this innocent blood becomes unthinkable in Australia. (Micah 6:7–8)
2. The Church to be one, praying and advocating for the unborn. (John 17:21)
3. Each church across Australia to become a trusted place of mercy and redemption, so that anyone experiencing an unexpected pregnancy or who has been wounded by abortion will find help, hope and healing. For every church be an effective House of Refuge for the unborn and their families, and Hubs of Love to be established in every city and town in the nation. (Hebrews 4:16)
4. Those considering or wounded by abortion to receive compassionate and confidential care by contacting Pregnancy Help Australia or visiting a life-affirming pregnancy centre. (Exodus 15:26)
5. Walks for life to flourish in every state and territory as a public witness. (Matthew 5:14–16)
6. Australians to vote for and elect bold MPs who’ll stand for and champion the sanctity of life. (Psalm 139:13–16)

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