Must Christians Ask For Forgiveness Every Time They Sin?

[RickyZ]

Seeking opinions on this question.

I personally say no. As all of our sins have already been forgiven, there's no reason to ask afresh. Since God looks upon His children as never having sinned (as we have the righteousness of Jesus imputed to us) our fellowship with Him can not suffer.

There are two aspects to sin...

Regarding salvation, once saved you are sinless. that's a once for lifetime thing.

But, in the here and now, when you sin you make yourself a servant to whatever sin/demon you gave in to. To break these bonds requires confession and repentance.

So, if we sin, do we need to ask forgiveness? No because it has not affected our salvation. But we need to confess and repent, because it does affect our afflictions here on earth.

 

[LW97]

Well that's a little trick that modern grace doctrines use IMO. Essentially, saying behavior doesn't matter to salvation is in effect the same thing as saying do whatever you want. It's definitely not libertine antinomianism, but it is Sandemanian antinomianism.

The kind of Antinomianism we see more of in our day (beginning with the “Free Grace” movement of Zane Hodges et al. and morphing just a bit in the newer form as seen in teachers such as Joseph Prince) is essentially Sandemanian Antinomianism (a heresy associated with an eighteenth century movement) rather than libertine Antinomianism.

Sandemanianism did not directly say that anything goes in the sense that anything was approved of but just said that everyone was OK who gave mental assent to the gospel. Thus, those who made a profession could live as they pleased even though the leaders did not necessarily endorse this behavior. It is still “anything goes” as regards salvation even if the teachers and leaders profess not to endorse sin.

Joseph Prince has embraced this by espousing unconditional security without the need for the perseverance of the saints. This semi-Calvinist view is an unorthodox one that gives comfort to those who have never evidenced a changed life (Prince even asserts that repentance does not involve a turning from sin). I have spoken to a homosexual follower of Prince who acknowledged what the Bible said about his lifestyle. He was not concerned, however, because he was sure God saw it as no big deal in spite of what the Bible said.

One of the chief characteristics of the new Antinomianism as it has developed in the 21st century is that it insists that we must never speak of do’s and don’ts and can never use words such as “should” or “ought.” All of life must be subjective spontaneity and those who offer any word of exhortation (such as those found in the NT) are presenting a “legalistic ministration of death.”​

Relativism and Antinomianism: It's Mostly About Sex | Apologetics Index

This article you showed is pure slandering. Hodges DID teach that behaviour matters, not about entrance, but about inheritance (eternal rewards) and chastisement.

 

[LW97]

There are two aspects to sin...

Regarding salvation, once saved you are sinless. that's a once for lifetime thing.

But, in the here and now, when you sin you make yourself a servant to whatever sin/demon you gave in to. To break these bonds requires confession and repentance.

So, if we sin, do we need to ask forgiveness? No because it has not affected our salvation. But we need to confess and repent, because it does affect our afflictions here on earth.

Amen, that's true

 

[Nehemiah6]

So, if we sin, do we need to ask forgiveness? No because it has not affected our salvation.

Ricky,

Sin in the believer's life affects FELLOWSHIP, not salvation. Kindly read and study the Scripture passage I have posted above. So do you really think that you can separate confession from asking for forgiveness?

 

[HeRoseFromTheDead]

This article you showed is pure slandering. Hodges DID teach that behaviour matters, not about entrance, but about inheritance (eternal rewards) and chastisement.

You say Hodges taught behavior doesn't matter about entrance, and the article is slander for saying exactly that? huh?

 

[RickyZ]

Ricky,

Sin in the believer's life affects FELLOWSHIP, not salvation. Kindly read and study the Scripture passage I have posted above. So do you really think that you can separate confession from asking for forgiveness?

When God forgave me He forgave every sin I have ever committed - past, present, and future. It does not affect our salvation. Not sure how you missed that point after highlighting it.

Now, if I sinned against a person yes that does affect my fellowship with them and I do need to ask them for forgiveness ... from that person, not from God.

 

[LW97]

You say Hodges taught behavior doesn't matter about entrance, and the article is slander for saying exactly that? huh?

If behavior mattered about salvation, how can it be by grace then? Romans 11:6

 

[HeRoseFromTheDead]

If behavior mattered about salvation, how can it be by grace then? Romans 11:6

That's the modern grace position.

 

[LW97]

That's the modern grace position.

Yeah, there is a vast difference between true Free Grace and Hyper Grace.

 

[jenniferand2]

Seeking opinions on this question.

I personally say no. As all of our sins have already been forgiven, there's no reason to ask afresh. Since God looks upon His children as never having sinned (as we have the righteousness of Jesus imputed to us) our fellowship with Him can not suffer.

“Confess ​

your

faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” ​

 

[deer92]

There are two aspects to sin...

Regarding salvation, once saved you are sinless. that's a once for lifetime thing.

But, in the here and now, when you sin you make yourself a servant to whatever sin/demon you gave in to. To break these bonds requires confession and repentance.

So, if we sin, do we need to ask forgiveness? No because it has not affected our salvation. But we need to confess and repent, because it does affect our afflictions here on earth.

i feel inclined to agree,in the Lords prayer Jesus asks for forgiveness.

 

[jsr1221]

No one remembers every single sin, past present or future. If we were to ask for forgiveness for every single one, we'd all be in hell because none of us would be able to do so. God understands this. That's why He sent Christ to die for our future sins, not just our past or present.

 

[jenniferand2]

Seeking opinions on this question.

I personally say no. As all of our sins have already been forgiven, there's no reason to ask afresh. Since God looks upon His children as never having sinned (as we have the righteousness of Jesus imputed to us) our fellowship with Him can not suffer.

and here is your answer 9

For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. ​

10

But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. ​

11

For it is written, ​

As

I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. ​

12So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

​

13

Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in ​

his

brother's way. ​

14

I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that ​

there is

nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him ​

it is

unclean. ​

15

But if thy brother be grieved with ​

thy

meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.​

9For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. 10But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. 12So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.13Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. 14I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there isnothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.9For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. ​

10

But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. ​

11

For it is written, ​

As

I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. ​

12So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

​

13

Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in ​

his

brother's way. ​

14

I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that ​

there is

nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him ​

it is

unclean. ​

15

But if thy brother be grieved with ​

thy

meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.​

 

[Nehemiah6]

When God forgave me He forgave every sin I have ever committed - past, present, and future. It does not affect our salvation. Not sure how you missed that point after highlighting it.

Now, if I sinned against a person yes that does affect my fellowship with them and I do need to ask them for forgiveness ... from that person, not from God.

Well you missed the point again. It is FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD that the apostle John is talking about. Check the Scripture passage I have posted.

 

[RickyZ]

Well you missed the point again. It is FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD that the apostle John is talking about. Check the Scripture passage I have posted.

Well yes of course, it does affect our fellowship with God, I equated it to our fellowship with each other but truth be told it affects both. John does specify God but it affects both fellowship with God and our relations.

 

[LW97]

No one remembers every single sin, past present or future. If we were to ask for forgiveness for every single one, we'd all be in hell because none of us would be able to do so. God understands this. That's why He sent Christ to die for our future sins, not just our past or present.

True, all sins were yet future when he died

 

[RickyZ]

There was an earlier post that said we will be judged for our sins and receive gain or loss for how we lived. This is true. While sin:

1. does not affect our salvation
2. does affect our fellowship with both God and our fellow man,

We WILL be held to account for them none the less. As thru the fire it says.

 

[Shamah]

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]1 John 2:1-2, "My little children, I write these things to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father: Yahshua Messiah, the Righteous; and He is the sacrifice of atonement for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."[/FONT]




[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Hebrews 7:23-28, “For they indeed became priests without an oath, but He became Priest with an oath by Him who said to Him, “[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]יהוה [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]has sworn and shall not regret, ‘You are a priest forever according to the order of Malkitseḏeq. By as much as this [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]יהושע [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]has become a guarantor of a better covenant. And indeed, those that became priests were many, because they were prevented by death from continuing, but He, because He remains forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore He is also able to save completely those who draw near to Yah through Him, ever living to make intercession for them. For it was fitting that we should have such a High Priest – kind, innocent, undefiled, having been separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens, who does not need, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice offerings day by day, first for His own sins and then for those of the people, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. For the Torah appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath which came after the Torah, appoints the Son having been perfected forever.”[/FONT]

 

[ScottishOkie]

As a parent, when my children disobey, they don't stop being my children. They are always my children. But for my children to seek forgiveness of their wrongdoing, they need to ask forgiveness. So, as Children of God, we must ask forgiveness of our sins. We never stop being his children, but to be found favorable in God's eyes, forgiveness is essential.

[h=3]Psalms
Chapter 32[/h]
​

1(A Psalm of David, Maschil.) Blessed is he whose transgression isforgiven, whose sin is covered.
2Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.
3When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.
4For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.
5I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
6For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.
7Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.
8I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
9Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.
10Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.
11Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.

 

[LW97]

As a parent, when my children disobey, they don't stop being my children. They are always my children. But for my children to seek forgiveness of their wrongdoing, they need to ask forgiveness. So, as Children of God, we must ask forgiveness of our sins. We never stop being his children, but to be found favorable in God's eyes, forgiveness is essential.

Psalms
Chapter 32


​

1(A Psalm of David, Maschil.) Blessed is he whose transgression isforgiven, whose sin is covered.
2Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.
3When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.
4For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.
5I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
6For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.
7Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.
8I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
9Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.
10Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.
11Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.

Yeah, absolutely, that is true