--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: God has left sin in the world in order…" description: "\"God has left sin in the world in order that there may be forgiveness: not only the secret forgiveness by which He Himself cleanses our souls, but the m..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/52f/thomas-merton-231_compassion_god-has-left-sin-in-the-world-in-order-t_2549116.jpg" --- # God has left sin in the world in order that there may be… ![“God has left sin in the world in order that there may be forgiveness: not only the secret forgiveness by which He Himself cleanses our souls, but the manifest forgiveness by which we have mercy on one another and so give expression to the fact that He is living, by His mercy, in our own hearts.” quote by Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/52f/thomas-merton-231_compassion_god-has-left-sin-in-the-world-in-order-t_2549116.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/52f/thomas-merton-231_compassion_god-has-left-sin-in-the-world-in-order-t_2549116.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/52f/thomas-merton-231_compassion_god-has-left-sin-in-the-world-in-order-t_2549116.jpg) > “God has left sin in the world in order that there may be forgiveness: not only the secret forgiveness by which He Himself cleanses our souls, but the manifest forgiveness by which we have mercy on one another and so give expression to the fact that He is living, by His mercy, in our own hearts.” [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human sin creates a need for forgiveness, both hidden and expressed, allowing divine mercy to live in us. **In simple terms:** Sin leads to forgiveness, showing God's mercy. Key Takeaway Embrace forgiveness to experience God's presence. Themes forgiveness mercy humanity Mood reflective hopeful Type spiritual philosophical When to use this quote - interpersonal conflict - spiritual growth - community healing - personal repentance Key Concepts theology spirituality redemption Questions to Reflect On - How does you forgiveness transform relationships? - What barriers prevent us from extending mercy? A Different Perspective Forgiveness can be difficult when pain runs deep. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) [Expression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expression/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Forgiveness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiveness/) [Forgiveness Cleanses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiveness-cleanses-1373961/) [Forgiveness Mercy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiveness-mercy-1189461/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Manifest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/manifest/) [Manifest Forgiveness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/manifest-forgiveness-1505112/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Mercy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mercy/) [Order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/order/) [Secret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/secret/) [Secret Forgiveness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/secret-forgiveness-1505113/) [Sin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sin/) [Soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soul/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [“In Your presence is fullness of joy and peace that passes all understanding. Let Your grace and mercy be a healing balm to my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-provance/in-your-presence-is-fullness-of-joy-and-peace-that-passes-all/) [Keith Provance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-provance/) > [The secret to forgiveness is to forget what people have done to us, and remember what God has done for us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/the-secret-to-forgiveness-is-to-forget-what-people-have-done-to-us/) [Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/) > [I could see that it was God's forgiveness and His mercy that I needed, and that was provided through Christ on the Cross for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirk-cameron/i-could-see-that-it-was-god-s-forgiveness-and-his-mercy-that-i-needed/) [Kirk Cameron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirk-cameron/) > [“But let’s say we believe that mercy and forgiveness are in fact foundational, innate, what we are grown from and can build on; also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/but-let-s-say-we-believe-that-mercy-and-forgiveness-are-in-fact/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [I turn to You My heart full of shame, My eyes full of tears. 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I see a planet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-r-miller/like-many-other-scientists-who-hold-the-catholic-faith-i-see-the/) [Kenneth R. Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-r-miller/) > [It is the Prana that is manifesting as motion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/it-is-the-prana-that-is-manifesting-as-motion/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [“The universe is an illusion, created by consciousness to entertain itself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anje-kruger/the-universe-is-an-illusion-created-by-consciousness-to-entertain/) [Anje Kruger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anje-kruger/) > [I'm simply saying that our deepest thoughts, desires and preoccupations manifest themselves in art, whether we intend them to or not. That's what art…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-pegg/i-m-simply-saying-that-our-deepest-thoughts-desires-and/) [Simon Pegg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-pegg/) > [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) ## More by Thomas Merton > [“Let no one hope to find in contemplation an escape from conflict, from anguish or from doubt. On the contrary, the deep, inexpressible certitude…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/let-no-one-hope-to-find-in-contemplation-an-escape-from-conflict-from/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [If nothing that can be seen can either be God or represent Him to us as He is, then to find God we must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/if-nothing-that-can-be-seen-can-either-be-god-or-represent-him-to-us/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [It is almost impossible to overestimate the value of true humility and its power in the spiritual life. For the beginning of humility is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/it-is-almost-impossible-to-overestimate-the-value-of-true-humility/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [We are not perfectly free until we live in pure hope. 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The rigidity of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-mission-of-christian-humility-in-social-life-is-not-merely-to/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [Peace cannot be built on exclusivism, absolutism, and intolerance. But neither can it be built on vague liberal slogans and pious programs gestated in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/peace-cannot-be-built-on-exclusivism-absolutism-and-intolerance-but/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [Things that are good are good, and if one is responding to that goodness one is in contact with a truth from which one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/things-that-are-good-are-good-and-if-one-is-responding-to-that/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [Love winter when the plant says nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/love-winter-when-the-plant-says-nothing/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [The logic of worldly success rests on a fallacy: the strange error that our perfection depends on the thoughts and opinions and applause of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-logic-of-worldly-success-rests-on-a-fallacy-the-strange-error/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [“The wisdom of the flesh is a judgement that the ordinary ends of our natural appetites are the goods to which the whole of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-wisdom-of-the-flesh-is-a-judgement-that-the-ordinary-ends-of-our/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [I will no longer wound myself with the thoughts and questions that have surrounded me like thorns: that is a penance You do not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/i-will-no-longer-wound-myself-with-the-thoughts-and-questions-that/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [If you write for God you will reach many men and bring them joy. 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That's as powerful as stirring their sorrow, stirring their compassion, because that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/i-really-enjoy-making-people-laugh-i-ve-discovered-that-s-a-great/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [“If you refuse to use physical force, then you will be at the mercy of your oppressor!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/segun-magbagbeola/if-you-refuse-to-use-physical-force-then-you-will-be-at-the-mercy-of/) [Segun Magbagbeola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/segun-magbagbeola/) > [For some reason, we are truly convinced that if we criticize ourselves, the criticism will lead to change. 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