Next to love, mercy is one of the greatest virtues. Mercy is mankind’s only hope, because each person has sinned and broken God’s law. Without mercy, our sinful nature and disobedience would have doomed us to hell. But, God is rich in mercy, and loves us so much, He came in flesh to die on the cross to redeem us. The first aspect of mercy is forbearance, which is canceling a debt that is due. When we repent and are baptized, Christ cancels all punishment that is due us for breaking God’s law.