Continually asking for forgiveness

antletems said:

I believe one should continually repent and seek Gods mercy

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Something to think about in your response. Hebrews 6:4-6 "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame." Jesus is able to keep you from falling-Jude 1:24. Repentance is a one time decision, or you will recrucify Jesus every time you repent.

Jesus said when asked that one could forgive again and again.

Jesus came to forgive sinners. He doesn't give up on anyone.

Peter Johnson said:

My Christian friend asks,

'Did not the Lord teach, in the 'Lord's Prayer', to make asking for forgiveness a continuing feature of a believer's relationship with the Lord?'
[underlining mine].

I say, 'NO, not at all'.

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Matthew 5:7 "Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.",

James 2:13 "For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment."

Blessings

Peter Johnson said:

My Christian friend asks,

'Did not the Lord teach, in the 'Lord's Prayer', to make asking for forgiveness a continuing feature of a believer's relationship with the Lord?'
[underlining mine].

I say, 'NO, not at all'.

Click to expand...

Forgiveness has past, present, and future aspects to it. In Him, we have the forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 1:14) and God has forgiven us (Ephesians 4:32, Colossians 3:13). So it is something that was done in the past which we now have, but it is also something that we must continue to acquire (Matthew 6:12, James 5:15, 1 John 1:9). There is also a time when we will be declared to be forgiven on the day of the Lord (2 Timothy 1:18) and Jesus said that if we do not forgive others than we will not be forgiven (Matthew 6:15) and God will reinstate our debt (Matthew 18:21-35).

antletems said:

Jesus said when asked that one could forgive again and again.

Jesus came to forgive sinners. He doesn't give up on anyone.

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2 Timothy 1:9 tells us: "Who hath(has) saved us(you, me and everyone else), and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began." This verse does not say what most believe(that Jesus saves), it states that Jesus saved us. The verse of Colossians 2:13 tells us that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ has forgiven you all trespasses: "And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened(brought to life) together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses." Also in the verse of 1 John 3:9 it is stated that you do not and cannot sin: "Whosoever is born of God, doth(does) not commit sin: for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God." Now the question you may ask is, who is born of God? You will find that everyone who loves is born of God and knows God in the verse of 1 John 4:7. It is also stated in 1 John 3:6 and 1 John 3:8 that those who sin have never seen or known Christ, that they are of the devil. For He is the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe(1 Timothy 4:10). Have a blessed day.

This is a great topic. 1 John. Is pretty clear when he admonishes us not to say we have no sin. For we do have sin. But the good news is God is faithful,and just to forgive us our sins. Jesus died on the cross once and shed his blood once to,cover our sins. Including future sins for which we ask forgiveness. Ephesians 6 says we have put on the breastplate of righteousness. We are righteous in Christ. We don't have to sin, but at times we act carnal and commit a sinful act, but because we are children of God we recognize the failure and repent of it and are cleansed from ALL unrighteousness.

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I do wonder how God can ever forgive me. I say that with deep sorrow as i have been a massive sinner over the last year and a half. Adultery is the sin. Can God forgive an adulterer? My priest says yes.

But, to sin, and repent, sin and repent, again and again is just not right for ones soul.

With me, i think that old nick is sitting on my shoulder whispering in my ear continuously! He just does not give up. However hard i try to be sin free he keeps knocking me over!

You know what though? I aint giving in to him and i am not giving up on God! No way! I am going to fight to the last my dear friends. I am determined to win this battle in my life. Only through God can i win.

Peter Johnson said:

My Christian friend asks,

'Did not the Lord teach, in the 'Lord's Prayer', to make asking for forgiveness a continuing feature of a believer's relationship with the Lord?'
[underlining mine].

I say, 'NO, not at all'.

Click to expand...

I fully agree. We've been forgiven past, present, and future.

Another thing to remember. The Lord's Prayer teaches that we are to ask for forgiveness from God in the same way we forgive others. The point here is to remind us that as God has forgiven us (fully and completely) we are to forgive others.

antletems said:

I do wonder how God can ever forgive me. I say that with deep sorrow as i have been a massive sinner over the last year and a half. Adultery is the sin. Can God forgive an adulterer? My priest says yes.

But, to sin, and repent, sin and repent, again and again is just not right for ones soul.

With me, i think that old nick is sitting on my shoulder whispering in my ear continuously! He just does not give up. However hard i try to be sin free he keeps knocking me over!

You know what though? I aint giving in to him and i am not giving up on God! No way! I am going to fight to the last my dear friends. I am determined to win this battle in my life. Only through God can i win.

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Where sin abounds, grace abounds more! Praise God for that! God bless you brother!

PapaZoom said:

Where sin abounds, grace abounds more! Praise God for that! God bless you brother!

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Thank you my friend. God bless you too

antletems said:

I do wonder how God can ever forgive me. I say that with deep sorrow as i have been a massive sinner over the last year and a half. Adultery is the sin. Can God forgive an adulterer? My priest says yes.

But, to sin, and repent, sin and repent, again and again is just not right for ones soul.

With me, i think that old nick is sitting on my shoulder whispering in my ear continuously! He just does not give up. However hard i try to be sin free he keeps knocking me over!

You know what though? I aint giving in to him and i am not giving up on God! No way! I am going to fight to the last my dear friends. I am determined to win this battle in my life. Only through God can i win.

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Here is hope for you brother and every other person who sins. Did you not know, has no one ever told you, have you not heard, have you not read that you do not and cannot sin? 1 John 3:9 "Whosoever is born of God doth(does) not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God." So brother ask yourself who is born of God? the answer is found in 1 John 4:7 which states "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of(from) God; and every one that loveth(loves) is born of God and knoweth(knows) God. So brother if you love you are born of God, and therefor do not and cannot sin. As for me I will believe the word of God over that of a man any day. Jesus Christ has won the battle for us! He is the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe(1 Timothy 4:10). Have a blessed day knowing that you and every other person that loves are born of God.

Commander said:

Here is hope for you brother and every other person who sins. Did you not know, has no one ever told you, have you not heard, have you not read that you do not and cannot sin? 1 John 3:9 "Whosoever is born of God doth(does) not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God." So brother ask yourself who is born of God? the answer is found in 1 John 4:7 which states "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of(from) God; and every one that loveth(loves) is born of God and knoweth(knows) God. So brother if you love you are born of God, and therefor do not and cannot sin. As for me I will believe the word of God over that of a man any day. Jesus Christ has won the battle for us! He is the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe(1 Timothy 4:10). Have a blessed day knowing that you and every other person that loves are born of God.

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Well, i can sin and do. Nobody is without sin. Even the Holiest of the saints sinned! But, we know we can turn to God and beg forgiveness as Jesus died to save us.

Once forgiven always forgiven is not true unless one does not sin. Our Lord didn't suffer and die so that we could merrily sin thinking its ok because we have been forgiven yesterday, today and tomorrow!

We have to do our part too. But only with God's Grace can we win against sin!

antletems said:

Well, i can sin and do. Nobody is without sin. Even the Holiest of the saints sinned! But, we know we can turn to God and beg forgiveness as Jesus died to save us.

Once forgiven always forgiven is not true unless one does not sin. Our Lord didn't suffer and die so that we could merrily sin thinking its ok because we have been forgiven yesterday, today and tomorrow!

We have to do our part too. But only with God's Grace can we win against sin!

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Does it not state in 1 John 3:9 that you do not and cannot sin(I believe that it does, and I will believe the word of God over that of a man every and any day!) Whosoever commits sin has never seen, or known our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ(1 John 3:6), he that commits sin is of the devil(1 John 3:8). Sinners are in error/incorrect with what you believe(James 5:20). He is the great reverse psychologist, you need to repent(means change your mind and believe the gospel(Mark 1:15). Jesus Christ has made me free from sin(Romans 6:18 and Romans 6:22, 1 John 2:12, and others). "We have to do our part" it's not what you, me or any other person has or will do, it is what Our Lord and Saviour did on the cross that he saved us(you, me, and every other person[2 Timothy 1:9]). Have you suffered in the flesh, has every other person suffered in the flesh(1 Peter 4:1). What would it take for you not to sin, what makes you sin? The answer is found in Ephesians 2:15. For he is the Living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe(1 Timothy 4:10).

Well, St Peter sinned, did he not? Even the Holiest of people sin! Its repenting afterwards is the most important point. To always turn to God and ask forgiveness.

To say you are free of sin because you have accepted Jesus is wrong because we are human and prone to sin.

Jesus brought us a way to be forgiven. He knows that 'nobody' can expect to live a life completely void of sin.

As should be noticed by now, there are TWO issues in this discussion. One is Salvation itself; the other is living the Christian life. However, we use the same or similar words in describing and dealing with the two.

Just for the record, I'm a 'once saved, always saved' sort.

By seeking Salvation and completing the 'contract' - 'covenant' in older English - one agrees (contracts) with God through Jesus to live in obedience to God. God's part of the contract is to redeem 'us' (as individuals who enter into the contract) from the penalty of sin and the sentence of Hell. God further contracts to re-make our individual lives into lives which resemble God's intent. (One notes the individual get the far better end of the deal. This is entirely due to God's love and grace.)
By my belief and understanding, this only needs be done once. I do not have to contract for Salvation again, or repent of sins to be 'worthy' of Salvation.

However. (There's nearly always a 'however'.) Willful sin in the life of a Christian forms a barrier to the relationship between the Saved individual and God. From the individual's side, not from God's side. The active sinner essentially runs from God's presence and denies God's love in the matter. Consequently, the sinner needs to repent and agree with God of one's own failure and inadequacy to restore the proper relationship between God and the individual, i.e., Master and slave, Boss and worker, Savior and savee. (Spellcheck says I invented another word there.)

So, I don't have to ask for forgiveness in the sense of Salvation again, but I do need to remove any distractions or impediments (as far as it within my power) between self and God.

Do I pray for forgiveness? Only as often as I sin.

Archie the Preacher said:

As should be noticed by now, there are TWO issues in this discussion. One is Salvation itself; the other is living the Christian life. However, we use the same or similar words in describing and dealing with the two.

Just for the record, I'm a 'once saved, always saved' sort.

By seeking Salvation and completing the 'contract' - 'covenant' in older English - one agrees (contracts) with God through Jesus to live in obedience to God. God's part of the contract is to redeem 'us' (as individuals who enter into the contract) from the penalty of sin and the sentence of Hell. God further contracts to re-make our individual lives into lives which resemble God's intent. (One notes the individual get the far better end of the deal. This is entirely due to God's love and grace.)
By my belief and understanding, this only needs be done once. I do not have to contract for Salvation again, or repent of sins to be 'worthy' of Salvation.

However. (There's nearly always a 'however'.) Willful sin in the life of a Christian forms a barrier to the relationship between the Saved individual and God. From the individual's side, not from God's side. The active sinner essentially runs from God's presence and denies God's love in the matter. Consequently, the sinner needs to repent and agree with God of one's own failure and inadequacy to restore the proper relationship between God and the individual, i.e., Master and slave, Boss and worker, Savior and savee. (Spellcheck says I invented another word there.)

So, I don't have to ask for forgiveness in the sense of Salvation again, but I do need to remove any distractions or impediments (as far as it within my power) between self and God.

Do I pray for forgiveness? Only as often as I sin.

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Well said. I totally see it this way. I don't need to pray for forgiveness when I sin as my sins are forgiven past, present, and future. But when I do sin, I need to talk to God about this. Not for forgiveness' sake, but for mine. Otherwise it's the elephant in the room. For me. That's how I see it. We live in the freedom of God's grace, not in the chains of sin. That freedom is not the freedom to sin, but the freedom to live righteous and holy lives. We have died to sin and are made alive in Christ. Bottom line: I recognize when I sin. I also recognize I've already been forgiven. It's from that truth that I talk to God about any shortcoming in my life. God is the Prodigal Father longing for His children to come to Him.

Yeah! What Papa Zoom said.

antletems said:

I do wonder how God can ever forgive me. I say that with deep sorrow as i have been a massive sinner over the last year and a half. Adultery is the sin. Can God forgive an adulterer? My priest says yes.

But, to sin, and repent, sin and repent, again and again is just not right for ones soul.

With me, i think that old nick is sitting on my shoulder whispering in my ear continuously! He just does not give up. However hard i try to be sin free he keeps knocking me over!

You know what though? I aint giving in to him and i am not giving up on God! No way! I am going to fight to the last my dear friends. I am determined to win this battle in my life. Only through God can i win.

Click to expand...

In Romans Paul teaches us that we should not continue to sin where Grace abounds as he puts it in chapter 6
What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification. But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now tryou have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:15‭-‬19‭, ‬21‭-‬23 ESV
http://bible.com/59/rom.6.15-23.ESV

You are not a slave to your adultery. Christ has set you free from that. You have been made righteous in Christ and we do not have to let sin reign in us. I know sometimes sin gets very hard to overcome. But we CAN overcome sin. You are not a sinner but a child of God who does not have to let it control you. You can control it.

If you ask forgiveness and repent you are made whole in Christ and are no,longer an adulterer. All is forgiven in Gods eyes. When we are tempted we can honestly say "I am righteous, that is not me. I am not like that."

Satan wants us to feel tremendous guilt and tell us we are failures and not real believers. He want us to think we are worthless,and useless. And we can fall into that trap. I know I have, on more than one occasion. I have to remind myself that the sin is over, I have repented and am walking in righteousness today as a forgiven and righteous son of God.



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Peter Johnson said:

My Christian friend asks,

'Did not the Lord teach, in the 'Lord's Prayer', to make asking for forgiveness a continuing feature of a believer's relationship with the Lord?'
[underlining mine].

I say, 'NO, not at all'.

Click to expand...

It sounds like it would be a bit obsessive, phobic, and/or based on fear and a constant state of anxiety?

Is that what Jesus indicates to us.

Bottom line is this:

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." ~2 Timothy 1:7

Based on that, perhaps our understanding of "praying without ceasing" will become more clear.

Here's another verse that offers some clarity:

"He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" ~Micah 6:8

What all of this means, is that, in ALL things, Jesus gives us His peace.

Walking with God means that as we go about our daily business we do not shut God out, but our heart "communes" with Him, aware of His presence, and rejoicing in it. Welcoming Him in to all we thing, say, and do, and running it past Him, all the while allowing Him to teach us to surrender our will to His.

And as we "walk" with Him, of COURSE we repent of and ask forgiveness for all those things we bumble and stumble over, as they occur, including those things we think, say, and do that we know full well is sin, but we don't wanna give it up just yet.

In a single day, every HOUR even, how many times have i just "messed up"? In those subtle ways that can easily be overlooked, those sins of "omission" and casual disregard of someone, or that most insidious of sins: pride. This is mostly in our "thought life", in our "hearts".

God reads our hearts.

Doesn't He?

This clarifies the necessity of "walking with God", for as Paul pointed out here, we still very much battle with the flesh, and the flesh has ears for the enemy cuz the flesh don't wanna surrender to God, and so can rationalize why something is ok, and our flesh is all ears when that happens.

"For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I." ~Romans 7:15

Why do ya' thinks Paul struggled with this?

Here, John is speaking to brothers and sisters in Christ:

"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." ~1 John 1:8

In Jesus, yes we confess sins. But then we have more to do >

Seek our Father for His correction which is so better than how we or others can try to correct us > Hebrews 12:4-11. His correction brings more and more of His love's perfection > 1 John 4:17-18.

And in receiving forgiveness live this forgiveness for others > Ephesians 4:31-32 says to forgive each other, "even as God in Christ forgave you."

And our Heavenly Father's forgiveness includes how He personally and tenderly loves us "in our hearts" > Romans 5:5. So, if we are truly forgiving, then, we also are tenderly loving the ones we forgive. Therefore, God's forgiveness lives, I understand, in His love. So, we benefit from this forgiveness while we are living this love which makes us also so generously forgiving, for others