Forgiveness - need for a laundry list of sins during confession?

[rahulpatel1985]

If a Christian were to want to attain forgiveness from our Holy Father, would it be necessary, to go out and list all our sins (confession) and ask absolution?

or is it enough to know in ourselves the sins we have committed, and know that our Father knows them too and pray as we were taught to by his Son, "... and forgive us our trespasses as we too will forgive those who trespass against us" , thus asking for a general forgiveness, while targeting our sins specifically in specifically repenting from those sins and turning away from them...?

 

[goldenviolet]

both.

 

[rahulpatel1985]

sorry violet, but what do u mean by both? is a general prayer for forgiveness okay or do we need to ask forgiveness for each and every sin?

if it is the second; wont some sins inevitably go unconfessed?

 

[goldenviolet]

we need to ask for forgiveness by admitting each sin... but it's impossible to give a full list... it's the confession part God asks us for... keeping us intouch with being humbled.

 

[drich0150]

I originally posted this in another thread but it works here as well.

In luke 15 we learn the story of the Lost son.


11Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. 12The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.
13"Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17"When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' 20So he got up and went to his father.
"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.
22"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. 24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate. 25"Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.' 28"The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!' 31" 'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' "



In verses 17-21 we wittiness the act of repentance. In this story all the son had to do is simply return home. Before he confessed or before he could be scolded when he was still a long way off his Father saw him, and Ran out to greet him. Which is significant because in that culture you did not warmly greet someone if there was any animosity between the two parties. Which would indicate that the act of repentance was complete just by the son returning to the father. The Heart has to go through many changes from wanting to depart from the father, to physically returning home.. This is all that is needed, because if you notice the father went out to the lost son. The son didn't even have a chance to confess or make any kind of amends.. After the greeting The Father upon simply hearing the confession welcomed the son home by placing a ring on his finger(Placing him back into a position of authority in his fathers house) and threw a big party.

So to properly repent, we must simply return home, and humble ourselves to our Heavenly father.

 

[wonderwaleye]

If a Christian were to want to attain forgiveness from our Holy Father, would it be necessary, to go out and list all our sins (confession) and ask absolution?

or is it enough to know in ourselves the sins we have committed, and know that our Father knows them too and pray as we were taught to by his Son, "... and forgive us our trespasses as we too will forgive those who trespass against us" , thus asking for a general forgiveness, while targeting our sins specifically in specifically repenting from those sins and turning away from them...?

<B>James

</B>Chapter 5
​

16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful.




You need to pick someone that has accepted and believes in CHRIST to talk to about your sin and ask them to pray for you. Believe me it can take a real load off your shoulder.

GOD'S WORD is so important to a CHRISTIAN. Might I suggest you GIVE IT ALL TO GOD


GOD demands that you give HIM your WHOLE heart, mind, strength, and soul. That means you go in prayer and tell GOD that you will do this and from that moment on seek GOD in all your decisions. Then pick up GOD'S ROAD MAP to the KINGDOM of ALMIGHTY GOD ( BIBLE ) and start reading the NEW TESTIMENT till the next time you read it you will already know what IT'S going to say. For then it's locked in your heart to draw from for the rest of your life. You will NEVER be sorry you did.



After this is complete GOD will know. For HE searches the heart. HE will then send HIS HOLY SPIRIT ( ANOINTED-BORN AGAIN- SAVED ). For it is then that you shall receive the MISSION GOD has for just you and supply all your needs, even what you have not the ability to have.




ONCE YOU KNOW THE TRUTH, THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE




So says GOD'S WORD



Do yourself a BIG FAVOR and Start right now!!!



steven

 

[childofGod31]

If a Christian were to want to attain forgiveness from our Holy Father, would it be necessary, to go out and list all our sins (confession) and ask absolution?

or is it enough to know in ourselves the sins we have committed, and know that our Father knows them too and pray as we were taught to by his Son, "... and forgive us our trespasses as we too will forgive those who trespass against us" , thus asking for a general forgiveness, while targeting our sins specifically in specifically repenting from those sins and turning away from them...?

We need to confess our sins to God. I think it's ok if we won't remember certain ones, as long as we ask for forgiveness for the ones we do remember and overall.

The Bible says to pray directly to God. Jesus also said:

1TI 2:5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

HEB 4:14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, ....16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Jesus said: JOH 14:13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. 15 "If you love me, you will obey what I command.

But remember, in first John it said: that if you walk in darkness and keep living in sin, then you don't really know God (as you say you do). I am not saying that we can be perfect, but I am saying that in order for us to be saved it's absolutely necessary to draw closer, much closer to God, to walk in accordance with His will and to let His Holy Spirit who lives in us to do his work in us and to help us overcome our flesh and overcome our evil desires. (I am speaking in general, not referring to any particular sin).
If we live: one foot in the world, the other foot with God, we are not walking on the "narrow way" and we will not find the "road that leads to life".

God is very stern about being half-hearted: you cannot serve two masters, He said. You have to choose. MAT 6:24 (one master is God, the other master is "pleasures of the world" by our sinful nature)

GAL 6:7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

If you sow into your spiritual nature: by reading the Word of God, praying, worshipping God, thinking about God, then the result will be eternal life.
If you are doing other things, the result will be death (no matter how many times you asked for absolution of sins).

God bless you.

 

[rahulpatel1985]

thanks guys. your responses were lovely..

 

[Bain_Adaneth]

If a Christian were to want to attain forgiveness from our Holy Father, would it be necessary, to go out and list all our sins (confession) and ask absolution?

or is it enough to know in ourselves the sins we have committed, and know that our Father knows them too and pray as we were taught to by his Son, "... and forgive us our trespasses as we too will forgive those who trespass against us" , thus asking for a general forgiveness, while targeting our sins specifically in specifically repenting from those sins and turning away from them...?

When you list your sins, and speak them out before God and acknowledge them. You are not doing them for God, but for yourself. When God forgives you for them, you will know which ones are forgiven. You should repent for all those you remember.