What does the Bible say about God's mercy to sinners?

The Scriptures show that God's mercy is foundational to His character, particularly in how He interacts with sinners. In Luke 15:2, we see the Pharisees criticize Jesus for receiving sinners and eating with them, but this is exactly the heart of the Gospel. Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10), displaying God's readiness to forgive and restore those who repent. The parables in Luke 15—the lost sheep, lost coin, and the prodigal son—illustrate the joy in heaven over every sinner who repents, emphasizing that God's mercy is not limited to the righteous but freely given to those who acknowledge their need for salvation. God's mercy allows sinners to find forgiveness and embrace their identity as children of God, covered in Christ’s righteousness.