This post was last updated on December 31, 2025

Day 306, Year 1

By Lovingkindness and Truth Iniquity Is Atoned For

“By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for, And by the fear of the LORD one keeps away from evil.” (Proverbs 16:6 NASB)

The word “lovingkindness” in today’s verse, in Hebrew chesed, is often translated as “mercy.” Out of God’s mercy, our sins are cleansed, while those who have God’s mercy need to turn away from sins and have compassion on others. It is also mentioned in the New Testament that believers are forgiven by God and then need to forgive others who are repentant, so that we can abide in His forgiveness. Those who have God’s mercy often have mercy on others and receive more mercy from Him. Those who know the nature of God are usually willing to help others.

The word “truth” in the verse, in Hebrew ’emeth, also means “firmness, faithfulness, sureness, reliability, continuance, stability, truth as spoken of testimony and judgment, truth as a body of ethical or religious knowledge, or true doctrine.” The word appears many times in the Old Testament and is widely used. Truth refers first and foremost to the attribute of God, that He is true and reliable. Jesus is the truth and more real than the visible world. Those who are cleansed from sins also need to be faithful. If there is a problem on the way to faith, it is often a problem with one’s faithfulness or honesty, which will lead to a mistake or a setback in faith. Some people who grew up in families of unfeigned faith are naturally more faithful. But those who grow up in families full of lies need to substantially change to be able to trust Jesus well. In the coming days, there will be more sharing on how to become more faithful.

The word “atone” in verse, in Hebrew kaphar, here also means “to be covered over, or to be purged.” We need to be honest; only then is our Christian faith meaningful. This verse also points out two conditions for cleansing from our sins. First, we need to receive God’s mercy. Second, there is human faithfulness and truthfulness in us, just like God’s attributes. Some Christians misinterpret that Jesus Christ has already completed all the work of salvation, and the person’s response or action is completely unimportant. But this is a grave mistake. Salvation is acquired by grace and by faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). Human faith and faithfulness can put us on the road to salvation till the end. Often, it is the human part that is problematic and causes many issues among believers and churches. The second half of the verse makes it clear that those who fear God will turn away from evil. This is a good description of what true Christian faith is.

Reflection questions:

1) Have you received God’s mercy? If so, are you willing to pass on God’s mercy to those whom God has mercy on?

2) Do you feel that you are a faithful and honest person like God Himself? If you lack something in it, what are you going to do?