Once you had not received mercy,
but now you have received mercy.
—1 Peter 2:10
Celebrate these once you were . . . but now you are verses.
“You were separate from Christ . . . But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (Eph 2:12–13).
“You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord” (Eph 5:8).
“Once you were alienated from God . . . But now he has reconciled you . . . to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation” (Col 1:21–22).
“You were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your soul” (1 Pt 2:25).
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
—Amazing Grace, by John Newton
God’s grace zaps Satan’s disgrace.