Praying for Forgiveness
29th September 2005
This subject has come up recently and I had never really thought about it until now. The question is, should we continually pray for forgiveness (to God)?
There isn’t any scripture in the NT (post resurrection) that suggests that we should. In fact, if we believe in Jesus’ work on the cross, we really shouldn’t be praying for forgiveness continually.
One thing interesting to note, though the scripture does not mention us confessing our sins to God on a daily basis, it does mention that we should confess our sins one to another ( James 5:16). However, it seems we have a tendency to ask God to forgive us for what we have done and not one another when most sins are actually against (affect) our brother.
Anyway, just some food for thought as you read through your copy of God’s Word. If anyone has any scripture in the NT that teaches otherwise, please feel free to share.
AMDG
September 29th, 2005 at 22:11
Hey Brian,
How about 1 John 1:9-10
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.”
“Confess” (in the Greek) is in the present tense which communicates an ongoing “present” (on going) confession of sin–which presupposes daily sin in our lives.
Also “sinned” in vs 10 is in the perfect tense which speaks of past reality reaching into the present and into the future–in other words we always will be sinning–even as Christians–thus the need to “presently” (daily) ask for forgiveness.
How about 1 Cor 11:27-34. The Corinthians were taking the cup in an un-examined manner, in other words they were’nt recognizing their sin before the Lord–thus they were dieing.
Just some quick thoughts.
September 29th, 2005 at 23:19
Bobby,
Could this be confessing one to another? In addition, what say you on the fact that Jesus already forgave us for all of our sins? God looks at us through the blood of Christ (that is how we are clean). It seems odd to ask God to forgive us of our sins on a daily basis in light of the gospel. Not to say we are without sin, that is definitely not the case.
AMDG
September 30th, 2005 at 01:03
I Jn says He will forgive us, if we confess our sins, to who else, but Him; sounds conditional to me.
You’ve heard of the concept of positional righteousness, right? As you point out God sees us through the finished work of Jesus Christ (2 Cor 5:21)–but this doesn’t mean there is no need for daily repentance and confession of sin. What’s the alternative, recognize I’m a sinner, and move on
. The Lord is looking at the attitude of our heart, and I think Ps. 51 is a good example of what a repentent heart looks like. This comes back to that reality of old creation and new creation interacting with each other. We are still in sinful bodies, and our fellowship with God can be hindered (cf. 1 Pet. 3:7) if we are not living a repentant life toward God.
Indeed salvation is a finished work, and serves as the basis for our daily fellowship with the God-head and eachother (cf. 1 Jn 1:7). Note the idea of progression in holiness finding its basis in the finished work of Christ in Heb. 10:14.
What is your understanding of sanctification and glorification?
October 2nd, 2005 at 20:18
Bobby,
Good points. I have not done an exaustive study on the issue by any means. Personally, I have always prayed for forgiveness. However, that doesn’t mean it is correct.
Not sure what the question is about sanctification and glorification. Those can be some pretty detailed subjects.
I believe in Christ’s finished work. Along with that I believe in working out our salvation. Much of what I believe appears paradoxical (or contradictory) to the untrained eye or maybe to even some trained eyes heh. However, it appears that way because I try to hold to Scripture in everything and put the Word and the teachings of Christ above all.
AMDG
November 1st, 2005 at 13:11
Correct me if I have misread you, but it seems to me, according to your theory on this issue, that you are saying that NO ONE would EVER need to ask forgiveness, right ? It must be what you are saying, by your own definition. That is….if christ died for YOU, thus cleansing you from ALL sin, then even the FIRST time you ask for forgiveness, wouldn’t you be asking for something that was already taken care of ? In other words, those who will be saved, Jesus ALREADY forgave ALL their sins…thus, no one who will be saved has a need for asking forgiveness, or being confessional concerning their sin. This isn’t sound logical thought, much less exegetical work
Bobby has done his exegetical homework, and I believe clearly refutes this idea.
While I do disagree with you on this one, I am enjoying your blog, and other thoughts.
grateful for grace,
The DOGpreacher
November 13th, 2005 at 21:36
DOGPreacher,
I am glad you commented. Actually, I was saying once you are saved and have already asked Jesus to save you. I was looking for Scripture that would support a Christian constantly asking God for forgiveness. I have not done an exegetical study on the subject it was just a question that popped up that I would like to pursue at some point. I appreciate anything you may have to add.
AMDG
February 18th, 2006 at 22:14
The day I became a beleiver I was very clear on the whole deal. I understood salvation to be permanent and that I was a new man. Sylvia Plath likened her depression to living under a bell jar and the air would get so stuffy that she could not bear it anymore. I was under the bell jar of sin and salvation was freedom from that old man and way of living and was like breathing fresh clean air. More than that, I was right with God.
Unfortunately, it was hardly a week before I had sinned and this new life had become tainted. I was still saved but things were not right anymore. I needed to put my relationship with God right. I had to confess my sin and seek god’s forgiveness. I knew that God had forgiven all my sins past present and future but rebellious children generally don’t have good relationships with their fathers even though their position as child doesn’t change. Confessing is about our fellowship with God, not about our eternal position or destiny. We must confess our sins continually because we are continual screw ups.