My son does things that are abhorrent to me. My forgiveness and love for him is total and complete. I forgive him and know at some time he will come around… repent as you will. But my love and mercy superseded and come before said repentance… Thus the GRACIOUS gift. I demanded nothing from him. My son was in sin and I yet loved him. I YET LOVED HIM. I waited for him to realize and come to me. My forgiveness was waiting for him not in the sense that he needed to do anything, but in the sense he at some point came to realize I loved him so…
This is good news. It is also the story of the God of Israel going from the old Covenant to the new Covenant!