Originally posted by Help-me-learn
Does this mean that we have been forgiven once and for all, and do not need to continue to keep asking each time we sin?
I don't know if you are still following this thread but I'd like to offer some insight that God has given me through two months we have been studying this very topic (forgiveness) in my church.
First, we can only sin against God. That is not to say that our actions only affect God. On the contrary, our actions affect those around us. But, with regard to sinning, it is only against God. The reason for this is because of what sin is. Sin is a transgression against
God's Law. While it's true that the propitiation of Christ's substitutionary death paid the penalty for our sins with regard to salvation we will continue to sin as long as we are bound in these mortal vessels.
The righteousness of Christ was imputed (credited) to us. We were not, however, inculcated (infused) with His righteousness. This is borne out in our daily lives but the undeniable fact that all people, saved or unsaved, occasionally sin. God, in His infinite wisdom, deemed it beneficial to our spiritual growth and maturity to leave within us the ability to continue to transgress His Law.
The reason for this is not so difficult to understand, though it is, at times, definitely frustrating. It is that very resistance that we experience due to our continued sinfulness, much as weight lifting does for the muscles of a bodybuilder, that increases our faith and faithfulness in our Savior.
As to our act of asking for forgiveness we must look at this from a godly perspective. Suppose someone gets angry with you and responds to that emotion in an ungodly way, like yelling at you. They might later feel a conviction for that sin. You as the one that was affected by that behavior are to consider that offense from a biblical perspective. First, you should understand that their offense/transgression/sin was against God, not you. Your first desire
should be to see them restored. If it's not, if your
first desire isn't for
their best and to see them blessed in this struggle then you are not being obedient to God yourself, that is to "love your neighbor as you love yourself." Secondly, forgiveness is
NOT an action that we have the power, or are in the position, to perform, at least not in the salvitic sense. If that person is saved, that offense was forgiven. You, as a child of God are commanded to live in a
state of forgiveness. That is, understanding that the sin committed by another is already forgiven by Him that forgives and additionally, probably is something you, yourself, have had to asked for forgiveness for. For us, those that have been forgiven so much (see Matt 18:21-35), "giving forgiveness" just means that we will not hold that offense against the person. It
does not mean we forget it ever happened. The biblical perspective of forgiveness for us is a lot easier to understand if we think of how we relate to our children when they commit an offense against the laws of our house. We don't disown them. We don't hold the offense against them forever, or even until they say they're sorry. We forgive them, period. Or, at least, we should.
The actions we take are predicated by our desire for the best for them, even if that is something that they don't consider desireable, such as a spanking. Personally, I "forgive" my children long before they come and ask for forgiveness. It is that very willingness to forgive my children unconditionally that allows me to deal with the punishment aspect of parenting in a godly way.
So, a direct answer to your question is impossible unless I define who you are asking for forgiveness. If you are referring to God as the recipient of our plea for forgiveness I would say that you need to ask God to forgive you every single time you commit a sin against His Law. This is not for salvitic purposes, rather a desire to be sanctified and conformed to the image of His Son, much as a young child might desire to "be like" mommy or daddy. If the recipient of your plea be the one/s that were affected by your sinfulness, my answer would be, once again, every time you are aware that this is the case. Again, this is not for the purpose of retaining, or re-attaining, your salvation. Rather it is due to your desire to restore your relationship with the offended party and offer an apology for them being affected by your self-centeredness.
I hope this helps,
God bless.