Must Christians Ask For Forgiveness Every Time They Sin?

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preston39

Senior Member
Dec 18, 2017
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I am saying that's what those I am debating are espousing, not me. I believe even believers need to repent of their sins and confess them.
Psalm 51 and Romans 7 are two examples of BELIEVERS confessing their sins while repenting of them at the same time.
S...,

Sorry...I miss understood.

They are.

Maintain....we all must repent of sin.
 
Feb 28, 2016
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'If you Love Me, keep My Commandments'. = My Words and actions
as I have I have shared and 'sacrificed' for and with you...
 
Feb 28, 2016
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If the foundation of your salvation is faith in Christ, then yes.

Sin is defined by the Law.

Salvation is defined by Christ Jesus.

Yes the body is what suffers the consequences of sin. However can your body suffer and your soul and spirit stay unaffected?

One of the most powerful statement in the bible is "Jesus wept"

I believe our soul weeps when we sin and rejoices when we turn back to the Light and walk again with His holy spirit.
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this is one of the most awesome POSTS from the Heart that we have ever 'read'!!!
 

LW97

Senior Member
Apr 10, 2018
1,140
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================================================

this is one of the most awesome POSTS from the Heart that we have ever 'read'!!!
That doesn't mean Jesus kicks us out when we fail
 

LW97

Senior Member
Apr 10, 2018
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Romans 4:7-8 explains everything.
 

mailmandan

Senior Member
Apr 7, 2014
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You forgot to highlight V32: "But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world"

Right there we have confirmation that the judgment spoken of is not condemnation, but is speaking of chastening of a believer.

This flows perfectly (as the scriptures should) with Romans 8, which says there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. He meant what He said... no condemnation. Why is it so hard for so many to accept this truth? God is immutable. He is not a man that He should lie or change His mind!! (Numbers 23:19).
Amen! 1 Corinthians 11:29 - For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly. 30 For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep. 31 But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world. Paul knows that the judgment of God can take on the form of physical illness and even physical death. The word "sleep" when referring to death, refers to the physical death of believers, not spiritual death (John 11:11-12; Acts 7:60; 1 Corinthians 15:6,18,20,51; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-15; 2 Peter 3:4).
 
Feb 7, 2017
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If Jesus died for our sins, then why do we have to confess sins?

·
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1.9).

How to get the forgiveness of Christ if He ever forgave us on the cross? ·

"
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." (1 John 1.7).

Firstly, it is necessary to understand the meaning of the word "confess". Confess means “to proclaim”. Understood this, the best way to proclaim that we are sinners (we confess our sins) is walking in the light, because that is where it becomes evident who we really are and who Jesus is. The more Jesus manifests, the more it becomes evident who we really are (sinners) and who Jesus is. The true manifestation of Christ did not exalt who we are but who Christ really is.

· "Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;" (Hebrews 1.3).

Notice that Jesus purifies us by himself (and not by their deeds).

· "And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." (1 John 2.2).
· "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." (1 John 4.10).

The only thing that can offer to the Eternal One (to appease their wrath, so that He will be favorable to us) is our body so that Jesus alive in us (Rom 12.1; 2Cor 4.10,11). After all, He is the propitiation for our sins (it is not what we do, nor what He did in the past).
Comes the question: but what then means verses like: ·

"And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin." (I John 3.5).
·
"Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." (I Peter 2.24).

In fact, what Jesus did was to live the law of the Old Testament that was given for the condemnation of our sins (2Cor 3.7,9). Jesus didn’t forgive all our sins on the cross. He just showed where the self-justification of man by means of laws leads and what the result. Understand: · The life of Jesus here on earth is to show us the one in whom we can trust, as well as the life style that really overcomes the sin, the world and Ha--Satan. He is the only life capable of obedience to the Father until to death (Phil 1.5-8) and therefore, to rid someone of sin. · The death of Christ reveals the seriousness of our sins, as well as the conviction that there is in the Old Covenant because of our sins (Romans 7.13); · The resurrection of Jesus, on the other hand, is that frees us from sin: ·

"Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification." (Rom 4.25)
· "And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins." (1 Corinthians 15.17)
· "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2.38);

To be more accurate: what saved the individuals before Christ was the fact of hearing His voice. If this was true in the Old Testament, today, then, there isn’t doubt:

·
"Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster." (Gal 3.24,25).

The law was just to make clear that, without Jesus, nor the best man in the world can be saved. However, only with Jesus is that came true faith (1 Peter 2.21), grace and truth (John 1.17).

·
"For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:" (1 Peter 2.21).
·
"For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." (John 1.17).
 
Last edited:
Oct 14, 2017
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I believe.. if we know why it's important to repent.. then when there is need to repent (and do repent) we can ask for forgiveness with a blanket request for all of the things we are repentant of... but without repentance.. there is no forgiveness.. even by grace.

If there were forgiveness without repentance then any maniacal murderer who takes pleasure and will murder again can gain forgiveness.

Only when they repent of their ways (turn from their sins) will they be forgiven.

Without a need for repentance... everyone would go to heaven... and their is no need for a hell... thus, the plan is defeated.
 

LW97

Senior Member
Apr 10, 2018
1,140
246
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Dan Corner from Evangelical Outreach does not believe in eternal security and his favorite verse to proof it is Galatians 6:8. Funny, because this verse says exact the opposite. "[FONT=&quot]For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption". Not the soul.[/FONT]
 

mailmandan

Senior Member
Apr 7, 2014
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Dan Corner from Evangelical Outreach does not believe in eternal security and his favorite verse to proof it is Galatians 6:8. Funny, because this verse says exact the opposite. "For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption". Not the soul.
The one who is continuously (Greek present tense) sowing to his own corrupt, sinful nature which is opposed to God and unrenewed by the Holy Spirit shall of the flesh reap corruption. Our life here is sowing of one kind or another. But he who sows to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap everlasting life. In opposition to corruption, eternal life is produced by the Holy Spirit in those who put their faith (belief, trust, reliance) in Jesus Christ for salvation.
 

Cee

Senior Member
May 14, 2010
2,169
473
83
If Jesus died for our sins, then why do we have to confess sins?

·
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1.9).

How to get the forgiveness of Christ if He ever forgave us on the cross? ·

"
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." (1 John 1.7).

Firstly, it is necessary to understand the meaning of the word "confess". Confess means “to proclaim”. Understood this, the best way to proclaim that we are sinners (we confess our sins) is walking in the light, because that is where it becomes evident who we really are and who Jesus is. The more Jesus manifests, the more it becomes evident who we really are (sinners) and who Jesus is. The true manifestation of Christ did not exalt who we are but who Christ really is.

· "Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;" (Hebrews 1.3).

Notice that Jesus purifies us by himself (and not by their deeds).

· "And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." (1 John 2.2).
· "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." (1 John 4.10).

The only thing that can offer to the Eternal One (to appease their wrath, so that He will be favorable to us) is our body so that Jesus alive in us (Rom 12.1; 2Cor 4.10,11). After all, He is the propitiation for our sins (it is not what we do, nor what He did in the past).
Comes the question: but what then means verses like: ·

"And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin." (I John 3.5).
·
"Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." (I Peter 2.24).

In fact, what Jesus did was to live the law of the Old Testament that was given for the condemnation of our sins (2Cor 3.7,9). Jesus didn’t forgive all our sins on the cross. He just showed where the self-justification of man by means of laws leads and what the result. Understand: · The life of Jesus here on earth is to show us the one in whom we can trust, as well as the life style that really overcomes the sin, the world and Ha--Satan. He is the only life capable of obedience to the Father until to death (Phil 1.5-8) and therefore, to rid someone of sin. · The death of Christ reveals the seriousness of our sins, as well as the conviction that there is in the Old Covenant because of our sins (Romans 7.13); · The resurrection of Jesus, on the other hand, is that frees us from sin: ·

"Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification." (Rom 4.25)
· "And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins." (1 Corinthians 15.17)
· "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2.38);

To be more accurate: what saved the individuals before Christ was the fact of hearing His voice. If this was true in the Old Testament, today, then, there isn’t doubt:

·
"Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster." (Gal 3.24,25).

The law was just to make clear that, without Jesus, nor the best man in the world can be saved. However, only with Jesus is that came true faith (1 Peter 2.21), grace and truth (John 1.17).

·
"For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:" (1 Peter 2.21).
·
"For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." (John 1.17).
Interesting viewpoints, but one part struck me, if Jesus bore our sins why would we need to bear them? Paul says, we are dead to sin and alive to righteousness. Do you believe this true or figurative?
 

Cee

Senior Member
May 14, 2010
2,169
473
83
Repentance isn’t only needed when we sin, it is a lifestyle of continually coming into agreement and walking with our Lord and King.
 

mailmandan

Senior Member
Apr 7, 2014
25,001
13,008
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The Greek word for "repent" is "metanoia" (noun) and "matanoeo" (verb) you see as defined in the Strongs #3340, 3341: to think differently or afterwards, reconsider. After thought, change of mind. Repentance basically means a "change of mind" and the context must determine what is involved in this change of mind. Where salvation is in view, repentance actually precedes saving faith in Christ and is not a totally separate act from faith. It is actually the same coin with two sides.

Repentance is on one side, "what you change your mind about," and faith in Christ is on the positive side, the new direction of this change of mind. *Repentance and faith are two sides of the same experience of receiving Christ.

In the context of Luke 13:3, Jesus challenged the people's notion that they were morally superior to those who suffered in such catastrophes. He called all to repent or perish. For some people though, prior to coming to repentance unto life, they must change their minds about other specific things in order to get there. Repentance, metanoia, focuses on changing one's mind about his previous concept of God (as in Acts 17:30) and disbelief in God or false beliefs (polytheism and idolatry) about God (see 1 Thessalonians 1:9).

On the other hand, this change of mind, focuses on the new direction that change about God must ultimately take, namely, trusting in Jesus Christ as the ALL-sufficient means of our salvation.

Certain people misunderstand the term "repentance" to simply mean "turning from sin" or "completely stop sinning." That is not the Biblical definition of repentance. In the Bible, the word "repent" means to "change your mind." The Bible also tells us that true repentance will result in a change of actions.

Acts 26:20 declares, "I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds." This is the fruit of repentance (Matthew 3:8), not the essence of repentance (change of mind). Certain people confuse the "fruit of repentance" with the "essence of repentance" (and also do the same thing with faith) and end up teaching salvation by works.

I have heard certain people say, "If you want to be saved, repent of your sins, turn from your sins." If turning from your sins means to stop sinning, then people can only be saved if they stop sinning. And in that case, it is unlikely that anyone will be saved, since we don't know anyone who has ever "completely stopped sinning."
 

Cee

Senior Member
May 14, 2010
2,169
473
83
Here’s an instructive quote regarding repentance from one of the Early Church fathers.

"Therefore let us repent and pass from ignorance to knowledge, from foolishness to wisdom, from licentiousness to self-control, from injustice to righteousness, from godlessness to God."
—Clement of Alexandria
 
Sep 4, 2012
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Here’s an instructive quote regarding repentance from one of the Early Church fathers.

"Therefore let us repent and pass from ignorance to knowledge, from foolishness to wisdom, from licentiousness to self-control, from injustice to righteousness, from godlessness to God."
[FONT=&]—Clement of Alexandria[/FONT]
That's good advice. The knowledge of GOD is essential, but it can't save a person.
 
U

UnderGrace

Guest
This post just needs to be repeated!!

So important to understand what the word "metanoia" means within context of the New Convenant and that people can refute this is to deny historical data and basic understanding of an important Greek word to suit their own personal theology.

Thank you mailmandan!!:D


The Greek word for "repent" is "metanoia" (noun) and "matanoeo" (verb) you see as defined in the Strongs #3340, 3341: to think differently or afterwards, reconsider. After thought, change of mind. Repentance basically means a "change of mind" and the context must determine what is involved in this change of mind. Where salvation is in view, repentance actually precedes saving faith in Christ and is not a totally separate act from faith. It is actually the same coin with two sides.

Repentance is on one side, "what you change your mind about," and faith in Christ is on the positive side, the new direction of this change of mind. *Repentance and faith are two sides of the same experience of receiving Christ.

In the context of Luke 13:3, Jesus challenged the people's notion that they were morally superior to those who suffered in such catastrophes. He called all to repent or perish. For some people though, prior to coming to repentance unto life, they must change their minds about other specific things in order to get there. Repentance, metanoia, focuses on changing one's mind about his previous concept of God (as in Acts 17:30) and disbelief in God or false beliefs (polytheism and idolatry) about God (see 1 Thessalonians 1:9).

On the other hand, this change of mind, focuses on the new direction that change about God must ultimately take, namely, trusting in Jesus Christ as the ALL-sufficient means of our salvation.

Certain people misunderstand the term "repentance" to simply mean "turning from sin" or "completely stop sinning." That is not the Biblical definition of repentance. In the Bible, the word "repent" means to "change your mind." The Bible also tells us that true repentance will result in a change of actions.

Acts 26:20 declares, "I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds." This is the fruit of repentance (Matthew 3:8), not the essence of repentance (change of mind). Certain people confuse the "fruit of repentance" with the "essence of repentance" (and also do the same thing with faith) and end up teaching salvation by works.

I have heard certain people say, "If you want to be saved, repent of your sins, turn from your sins." If turning from your sins means to stop sinning, then people can only be saved if they stop sinning. And in that case, it is unlikely that anyone will be saved, since we don't know anyone who has ever "completely stopped sinning."
 

joaniemarie

Senior Member
Jan 4, 2017
3,198
303
83
This post just needs to be repeated!!

So important to understand what the word "metanoia" means within context of the New Convenant and that people can refute this is to deny historical data and basic understanding of an important Greek word to suit their own personal theology.

Thank you mailmandan!!:D

Yes., I thought the same thing and had to give him a major "like" and rep. Sometimes the posts on cc can be majorly uplifting to the soul. :)
 

joaniemarie

Senior Member
Jan 4, 2017
3,198
303
83
Repentance isn’t only needed when we sin, it is a lifestyle of continually coming into agreement and walking with our Lord and King.
And this is what it means to walk in newness of life. We are daily learning about Jesus and our relationship to Him. So each day our minds are being transformed into agreement with Him. Putting off the old manner of life and putting on Jesus.

The idea of weeping and wailing is not what is being discribed for us to do as believers when it comes to true repentence. Someone brought up communion and the same thing applies there too. We proclaim the Lord's death till He comes. What He did for us when He died is our right of way before God.

Communion is a time of remembering how Jesus died on the cross making a way for us so there is NO sin between us and God anymore. When the Bible speaks of coming "unworthily" I believe that has to do with someone who doesn't have Jesus. Because those who HAVE JESUS are NOW WORTHY IN HIM.
 
Sep 4, 2012
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The idea of weeping and wailing is not what is being discribed for us to do as believers when it comes to true repentence.
This is such a foreign concept to me, so it's hard for me to relate. I don't think "weeping and wailing" is widely taught in the church, but it must be taught somewhere because certain people keep bringing it up.
 

joaniemarie

Senior Member
Jan 4, 2017
3,198
303
83
This is such a foreign concept to me, so it's hard for me to relate. I don't think "weeping and wailing" is widely taught in the church, but it must be taught somewhere because certain people keep bringing it up.




It just goes to show how we can't depend on our own experiences in life and how we were taught to define who Jesus is and what He wants from us by our own reasoning skills.

We need a total renewal of our minds and we can only get that by reading and hearing the Word and by submitting to the Holy Spirit in us. We all have experiences in life that make us who we are and how we perceive ourselves and others. We see everything from our own individual mindsets.

My experiences with family and religion were to always try to measure up and be worthy. The daily trying to succeed had ups and downs. Depending on the day or the person or my strength and mood for the day. The word I used in another post to describe it is "PRECARIOUS"

It means we are dangerously lacking in stability or security... Subject to chance.....based on unproved or uncertain premises... Archaic...Dependent on the will or favor of another.

We are in desperate need of a daily mind renewal in the Holy Spirit. :)