Forgiveness of sins and repentance

Anna Therese said:

John 20:21-23- “Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so I send you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.”

The words of Our Lord in John 20:23 naturally and plainly signify the power given to men to forgive (or not forgive) sins. In order to determine which sins to forgive and which sins to retain (not forgive) the confessions of sin must be heard. The Sacrament of Penance was instituted by Jesus Christ as is clearly expressed in the above verse.

The Catholic Church teaches that the sacramental absolution of the priest is not an empty service of pronouncing and declaring the penitent's sins to be forgiven. Rather, the absolution of the priest is a judicial act.

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I won't argue this with you.
I posted what the CCC says. How could it be a judicial act?
It's only judicial in that the priest can know if the penitent is sorry or not.
The pharisees were mad at Jesus for forgiving the paralytic man of his sins because only God can forgive sin...but, of course, Jesus was God.
Mark 2:7

I don't have a problem with confession; it's good for those it helps...I just believe it's wrong to say that the priest if forgiving the sin and not God.

Benjamin Calvary said:

You are now capable of being better informed, therefore, please educate yourself sister, and be no longer unknowing upon the subject:

Inside Rock Music - PDF

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Wow BC,
You really hate rock!
To the pure all things are pure...except if they're unpure...

So you think this is a sin: (I mean the music)

justbyfaith said:

It is possible to stop committing specific sins.

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Php_4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Luk_1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.

Mar_9:23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

GodsGrace101 said:

Wow BC,
You really hate rock!

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No. I love "the Rock" - Jesus Christ. I am opposed to that which is contrary to Him, and theft of His name:

Deu_32:31 For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges.

Listen to their own statements.

GodsGrace101 said:

To the pure all things are pure...except if they're unpure...

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That is an incorrect use of the texts of Paul:

Rom_14:20 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.

Tit 1:13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
Tit 1:14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
Tit_1:15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
Tit 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

GodsGrace101 said:

So you think this is a sin: (I mean the music)...

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I used to listen to those and many others before calling upon the name of the LORD. Their music, and motions, are actually preaching rebellion, and their music literally breaks down the cells of the body, and attacks the mind.

Consider the material, it is fully documented, from the performers own mouths and lives, and more can be given.

Benjamin Calvary said:

No. I love "the Rock" - Jesus Christ. I am opposed to that which is contrary to Him, and theft of His name:

Deu_32:31 For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges.

Listen to their own statements.

That is an incorrect use of the texts of Paul:

Rom_14:20 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.

Tit 1:13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
Tit 1:14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
Tit_1:15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
Tit 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

I used to listen to those and many others before calling upon the name of the LORD. Their music, and motions, are actually preaching rebellion, and their music literally breaks down the cells of the body, and attacks the mind.

Consider the material, it is fully documented, from the performers own mouths and lives, and more can be given.

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I know BC, and I actually agree. I also know about all those links you posted. This music numbs the mind and all that.
But that guitar work...it's great.
I just love all music,,,except music that disparages human beings.

We all sin.

Romans 3:23
23 since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

I fall all the time. My flesh is weak. But, i am so grateful that Jesus gave me a way to turn to God and ask for forgiveness.

GodsGrace101 said:

I know BC, and I actually agree. I also know about all those links you posted.

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Good. Share them.

GodsGrace101 said:

This music numbs the mind and all that.

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Indeed.

GodsGrace101 said:

But that guitar work...it's great.

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It's inspired and controlled of Satan. It is not them. It's why it is called possesion. Its like automated writing, but for musicians. They are not in control of themselves.

One is even called "Voodoo" (from Vodun) "child", which is to invoke the Orisha's (devils) to possess.

GodsGrace101 said:

I just love all music

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You sound just like Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel.

Dan_3:5 That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up:
Dan_3:7 Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
Dan_3:10 Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image:
Dan_3:15 Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?

There are wheat and tares among music, as among anything else, good and bad seed, good and bad "chords" (associations).

There is music which is of satan and carries his signature:

Exo_32:17 And when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said unto Moses, There is a noise of war in the camp.

Psa_120:7 I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war.

Eze_28:13 Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.

GodsGrace101 said:

except music that disparages human beings.

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All "rock" music disparages Jesus Christ.

Bocelli is an agent across the Tiber.

GodsGrace101 said:

I won't argue this with you.
I posted what the CCC says. How could it be a judicial act?
It's only judicial in that the priest can know if the penitent is sorry or not.
The pharisees were mad at Jesus for forgiving the paralytic man of his sins because only God can forgive sin...but, of course, Jesus was God.
Mark 2:7

I don't have a problem with confession; it's good for those it helps...I just believe it's wrong to say that the priest if forgiving the sin and not God.

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Double speak. I protest (Jeremiah 11:7) against the errors:

"... The priest holds the place of the Saviour himself, when, by saying "Ego te absolvo," he absolves from sin, This great power, which Jesus Christ has received from his eternal Father, he has communicated to his priests. "Jesus," says Tertullian, "invests the priests with his own powers." 7 To pardon a single sin requires all the omnipotence of God. "O God, who chiefly manifestest Thy almighty power in pardoning and showing mercy," 8 etc., says the holy Church in one of her prayers.

Hence, when they heard that Jesus Christ pardoned the sins of the paralytic, the Jews justly said: Who can forgive sins but God alone. 1 But what only God can do by his omnipotence, the priest can also do by saying "Ego te absolve a peccatis tuis;" for the forms of the sacraments, or the words of the forms, produce what they signify. How great should be our wonder if we saw a person invested with the power of changing a negro into a white man; but the priest does what is far more wonderful, for by saying " Ego te absolvo "he changes the sinner from an enemy into the friend of God, and from the slave of hell into an heir of paradise.

According to St. Ambrose, a priest, in absolving a sinner, performs the very office of the Holy Ghost in the sanctification of souls. 1 Hence, in giving priests the power of absolving from sin ..." - Dignity and duties of the priest : or, Selva ; a collection of materials for ecclesiastical retreats. Rule of life and spiritual rules : Liguori, Alfonso Maria de', Saint, 1696-1787 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
Dignity and duties of the priest : or, Selva ; a collection of materials for ecclesiastical retreats. Rule of life and spiritual rules : Liguori, Alfonso Maria de', Saint, 1696-1787 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

The very definition of blasphemy as defined in scripture, and one of the identifying marks (Revelation 17).

Anna Therese said:

When I receive the Sacrament of Penance and hear the priest's words of absolution, I know I am forgiven. Jesus gives priests the power to forgive sins (John 20:21-23). However, in order to receive the sacrament worthily, one must resolve never to commit the sin again. Avoiding the occasion of sin, praying, especially the Rosary, etc. are powerful ways to keep oneself from falling into mortal sin. For example, if music causes one to sin then get rid of the music.

"And if thy right eye scandalize thee, pluck it out and cast it from thee. For it is expedient for thee that one of thy members should perish, rather than that thy whole body be cast into hell." -Matt. 5:29

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Only God alone can forgive sins.

Anna Therese said:

No, the priest does not declare sins forgiven. The priest actually forgives (or does not forgive) sins by the authority given to him by Jesus Christ.

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Christ alone died for the forgiveness of sins. God alone forgives sins and by His power alone we are set free.

Anna Therese said:

John 20:21-23- “Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so I send you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.”

The words of Our Lord in John 20:23 naturally and plainly signify the power given to men to forgive (or not forgive) sins. In order to determine which sins to forgive and which sins to retain (not forgive) the confessions of sin must be heard. The Sacrament of Penance was instituted by Jesus Christ as is clearly expressed in the above verse.

The Catholic Church teaches that the sacramental absolution of the priest is not an empty service of pronouncing and declaring the penitent's sins to be forgiven. Rather, the absolution of the priest is a judicial act.

Click to expand...

If the priest has power to forgive or not forgive sins...isnt ur salvation being put into the hands of another for your destiny if he doesnt approve?

Sounds like fear and legalistic based religion

Lik3 said:

How will you know if you are completely forgiven? I realize that all of my fears come from having OCD, including the fear of other people and what they think. Would that be a sin? Even though I believe I have been forgiven, I continue to sin. Why is that? I don't think that I "played around with God" or his "mercy" but my point is, do Christians sin daily? Is there a possibility that a believer doesn't sin in a day? What I mean is, if I were to listen to ungodly music one day like I did last night and shunned what God is saying. I was so wrapped up in the music that I did not fall asleep until way late in the morning. I realized that today I regretted listening to the music and I asked for forgiveness, but what if I messed up? How about if I have messed up over and over again? How do I truly repent? How do I stop sinning and is it possible for a Christian to stop sinning?

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It is impossible for anybody to stop sinning. There is no perfect person. And if you were not forgiven completely and fully, God would be a liar. Since I KNOW He is not a liar, if you prayed the prayer of salvation and invited Jesus into your life and confessed that you sin and proclaim Him as your lord and savior, you are saved.

Benjamin Calvary said:

Double speak. I protest (Jeremiah 11:7) against the errors:

"... The priest holds the place of the Saviour himself, when, by saying "Ego te absolvo," he absolves from sin, This great power, which Jesus Christ has received from his eternal Father, he has communicated to his priests. "Jesus," says Tertullian, "invests the priests with his own powers." 7 To pardon a single sin requires all the omnipotence of God. "O God, who chiefly manifestest Thy almighty power in pardoning and showing mercy," 8 etc., says the holy Church in one of her prayers.

Hence, when they heard that Jesus Christ pardoned the sins of the paralytic, the Jews justly said: Who can forgive sins but God alone. 1 But what only God can do by his omnipotence, the priest can also do by saying "Ego te absolve a peccatis tuis;" for the forms of the sacraments, or the words of the forms, produce what they signify. How great should be our wonder if we saw a person invested with the power of changing a negro into a white man; but the priest does what is far more wonderful, for by saying " Ego te absolvo "he changes the sinner from an enemy into the friend of God, and from the slave of hell into an heir of paradise.

According to St. Ambrose, a priest, in absolving a sinner, performs the very office of the Holy Ghost in the sanctification of souls. 1 Hence, in giving priests the power of absolving from sin ..." - Dignity and duties of the priest : or, Selva ; a collection of materials for ecclesiastical retreats. Rule of life and spiritual rules : Liguori, Alfonso Maria de', Saint, 1696-1787 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
Dignity and duties of the priest : or, Selva ; a collection of materials for ecclesiastical retreats. Rule of life and spiritual rules : Liguori, Alfonso Maria de', Saint, 1696-1787 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

The very definition of blasphemy as defined in scripture, and one of the identifying marks (Revelation 17).

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I'm totally confused and have no idea of what you're speaking.

I'm going by what I've been told by priests TODAY.
I don't understand to what you're protesting.

Lik3 said:

How will you know if you are completely forgiven? I realize that all of my fears come from having OCD, including the fear of other people and what they think. Would that be a sin? Even though I believe I have been forgiven, I continue to sin. Why is that? I don't think that I "played around with God" or his "mercy" but my point is, do Christians sin daily? Is there a possibility that a believer doesn't sin in a day? What I mean is, if I were to listen to ungodly music one day like I did last night and shunned what God is saying. I was so wrapped up in the music that I did not fall asleep until way late in the morning. I realized that today I regretted listening to the music and I asked for forgiveness, but what if I messed up? How about if I have messed up over and over again? How do I truly repent? How do I stop sinning and is it possible for a Christian to stop sinning?

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All Christians commit sin, though some have more hardened hearts than others and are reticent to admit it. When I first got saved, everytime I did the least thing wrong I became distraught. All I could see was my shortcomings/sin. I despaired of going on for my sin was everywhere I looked. Then I went to a church meeting, and someone stood up with the gift of prophecy. They said ''You must look away from yourself and to Jesus, and trust him to change you, for in yourself you cannot do a thing'' I have never forgotten that. It isn't an easy thing to do when we are so self conscious of our shortcomings, but it truly is the only way. For what my view is worth, you are one of the most sincere of Christians, for you admit to your faults without hiding from them
BTW
I would ignore the posts of anyone who might quote twenty or so verses of scripture to you, inferring you need to reach the state they perceive themselves to be at. Surely they have already received their reward in full

Hears truth.. once you became born again.. born from above ALL not some parts.. but ALL things became new. Sin no longer has a hold on you. Meaning..it cant force you to sin.. you do not have to unless you allow it. With EVERY temptation your Father made a way out LOOK FOR IT...

And the fear you talked about comes from the enemy..and when it does.. you say.. GOD has not given me the spirit of fear but of power and love and a sound mind. You come back with the WORDS! Your Father gave you peace.. He said.. keep your MIND ON ME and I WILL keep you in perfect peace. HE CANT LIE. I dont care what this WORLD says you have.. In CHRIST It has NO RIGHT to touch you!

So... like our brother Paul said.. the things I should do I dont.. the things I shouldnt do I do.. so KNOW that you KNOW that you KNOW your Father.. and Christ can NOT LIE..so when you confess your sins He..NOT YOU.. HE is faithful and just to forgive you and cleans you from ALL unrighteousness. It matters NOT how you FEEL... HE IS FAITHFUL when we are not.

So you KNOW your forgiven because you confessed it repented right and do not want to keep doing it right? EVEN THEN RUN TO HIM ask HIM to change your desires to NOT sin.. NEVER EVER run away.. He does not judge you nor condemn you. And remember FORGETTING those things that are behind...stop remembering what HE does not

When I was in collage there was NO internet no mobile phones.. on the radio this preacher comes on and says.. I dont think anyone has sinned as much as I have.. so just pick your self up.. dust your self off and keep going Christ died already.. just get up ...stay in the race and REMEMBER THIS...what CHRIST has started in you...HE WILL FINISH! Not might.. HE WILL FINISH. And You are in Christs hands and Christs hands are in the Fathers.. your safe...just relax.. and know the enemy comes to kill steal and destroy. Remind the emeny.. NO.. He said if I confess my sins He is faithful to forgive me and cleasn me from all unrighteousness. SO WALK IN THAT TRUTH no walk in how you feel..in JESUS name

Lik3 said:

How will you know if you are completely forgiven? I realize that all of my fears come from having OCD, including the fear of other people and what they think. Would that be a sin? Even though I believe I have been forgiven, I continue to sin. Why is that? I don't think that I "played around with God" or his "mercy" but my point is, do Christians sin daily? Is there a possibility that a believer doesn't sin in a day? What I mean is, if I were to listen to ungodly music one day like I did last night and shunned what God is saying. I was so wrapped up in the music that I did not fall asleep until way late in the morning. I realized that today I regretted listening to the music and I asked for forgiveness, but what if I messed up? How about if I have messed up over and over again? How do I truly repent? How do I stop sinning and is it possible for a Christian to stop sinning?

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If you keep sinning it is like Martin Luther in Germany, the confessions are not full and working. One can ask for the grace to repent, in prayers of agreement with a righteous man or woman. Repentance should be followed by a clear conscience as when you were just born. Repentance should be consolidated by new birth in receiving Christ, or another grace like the blood of Jesus.

You can repent but find you commit the same sins a year later, in this case you may need freedom from bondage or deliverance from demons. The anointing breaks the yoke of bondage.

Karola said:

All Christians commit sin, though some have more hardened hearts than others and are reticent to admit it. When I first got saved, everytime I did the least thing wrong I became distraught. All I could see was my shortcomings/sin. I despaired of going on for my sin was everywhere I looked. Then I went to a church meeting, and someone stood up with the gift of prophecy. They said ''You must look away from yourself and to Jesus, and trust him to change you, for in yourself you cannot do a thing'' I have never forgotten that. It isn't an easy thing to do when we are so self conscious of our shortcomings, but it truly is the only way. For what my view is worth, you are one of the most sincere of Christians, for you admit to your faults without hiding from them
BTW
I would ignore the posts of anyone who might quote twenty or so verses of scripture to you, inferring you need to reach the state they perceive themselves to be at. Surely they have already received their reward in full

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Darn, I cussed again. And I lusted after that guys boat. I guess I have to start all over. When will I ever be good enough?

marineimaging said:

Darn, I cussed again. And I lusted after that guys boat. I guess I have to start all over. When will I ever be good enough?

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As a child, I would read my bible during the sermon(I got bored) and I read the ten commandments. And I wondered why the tenth one was there. I could understand the other nine being there, but not that one. It seemed so trivial, coveting your neighbours material goods(as I saw it then), such as their car or house, of far less importance than the other nine. I figured God just it in to make the number up to ten. Now I know differently of course, it does not just refer to material goods. It is a giant of a commandment, through breaking it, King David quickly broke two more of them. And it was the commandment, that Paul gave as an example of law that condemned Saul the Pharisee.
BTW
The only way to be good enough is to be perfect in the flesh. Some believe they are, but our eyes are not closed are they

Lik3 said:

How will you know if you are completely forgiven? I realize that all of my fears come from having OCD, including the fear of other people and what they think. Would that be a sin? Even though I believe I have been forgiven, I continue to sin. Why is that? I don't think that I "played around with God" or his "mercy" but my point is, do Christians sin daily? Is there a possibility that a believer doesn't sin in a day? What I mean is, if I were to listen to ungodly music one day like I did last night and shunned what God is saying. I was so wrapped up in the music that I did not fall asleep until way late in the morning. I realized that today I regretted listening to the music and I asked for forgiveness, but what if I messed up? How about if I have messed up over and over again? How do I truly repent? How do I stop sinning and is it possible for a Christian to stop sinning?

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Firstly, do you see Jesus on the cross for you? Do you understand how much that hurt and cost Him? Have you begun to feel the size of the love that drove Him to walk and talk with us, and face the pharisees and religious people of the day, and bow and submit to death at their hands.

It is this that will begin to put into perspective your ocd about music or other issues.
Through Jesus we can work through each issue, each insecurity, each working to make things safe so we do not get hurt, and begin to see, we can never be really hurt in Christs love, because it is so vast, eternal and all encompassing.

So your answer lies in seeing and knowing this. The other answers you seek will come in time as this perspective takes hold. God bless you

Lik3 said:

How will you know if you are completely forgiven?

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By faith and trust in God. It's part of saving faith to believe God forgives. "to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: "Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. "Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him." Rom 4:5-8

Lik3 said:

HHow do I stop sinning and is it possible for a Christian to stop sinning?

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When a person comes to saving faith they are born of God, and as such "No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God." 1John 3:9 Though they sin from time to time, they do so uncharacteristically. It is because they are born of God that they have lost the ability to live in sin.