How many times does a sin need to be forgiven?

[AnticipateHisComing]

The church has five different places of forgiveness.

1) Jesus died to forgive our sins.
2) I pray for forgiveness in the Lord's Prayer.
3) The Lord's prayer says the one I sinned against should forgive me.
4) The pastor forgives my sins.
5) Communion offers forgiveness.

Sorry, but I think 1 sin only needs to be forgiven 1 time.

I think another word should be used for the other 4 places of forgiveness.

 

[graciesings]

The church has five different places of forgiveness.

1) Jesus died to forgive our sins.
2) I pray for forgiveness in the Lord's Prayer.
3) The Lord's prayer says the one I sinned against should forgive me.
4) The pastor forgives my sins.
5) Communion offers forgiveness.

Sorry, but I think 1 sin only needs to be forgiven 1 time.

I think another word should be used for the other 4 places of forgiveness.

Other words, are used. Many people throw it all into the category "forgiveness" but that is over-simplifying the doctrine.

1.) Jesus died to forgive the sins of those who believe in Him. This is obvious in the Bible, look up John 3:16.
2.) What does it take to believe? Confessing our sins and asking for forgiveness. This is what we do in the Lord's Prayer when we ask God to "forgive us our sins."
3.) Look closely at the Lord's prayer?!
I don't see anything about other people forgiving us, that isn't necessary! Instead, we ask God to help us forgive the sins of others. Same thing as number 2, this falls under "believe." I define "believing in God" as confessing that we are sinful/need God, confessing that Jesus is our Savior, and following Him in faith. In the Lord's Prayer, we ask God to help us follow Him. Often, a large part of that following is forgiving others.
4.) The pastor forgives your sins in the name of God. He is proclaiming to your hurt heart that yes, God has forgiven you.
5.) Communion offers grace. This is often called forgiveness by those outside the church, who don't understand that our faith comes from God. I mentioned faith in 3 where I defined "believe." We get that faith through the grace of God. We are given faith, forgiveness, salvation, redemption, etc. through the Sacraments, but the real thing going here is grace. Grace is God reaching out to us to give His children all good things. The sacrament is not merely straight forgiveness, it is grace. It is the love of God.

Is anything I said here unclear? I don't think I did a good job of explaining things, so if this leaves you with a question, please ask.

God bless you,
Grace

 

[AnticipateHisComing]

Other words, are used. Many people throw it all into the category "forgiveness" but that is over-simplifying the doctrine.

1.) Jesus died to forgive the sins of those who believe in Him. This is obvious in the Bible, look up John 3:16.

This is the only one that counts.

2.) What does it take to believe? Confessing our sins and asking for forgiveness. This is what we do in the Lord's Prayer when we ask God to "forgive us our sins."
3.) Look closely at the Lord's prayer?!
I don't see anything about other people forgiving us, that isn't necessary! Instead, we ask God to help us forgive the sins of others. Same thing as number 2, this falls under "believe." I define "believing in God" as confessing that we are sinful/need God, confessing that Jesus is our Savior, and following Him in faith. In the Lord's Prayer, we ask God to help us follow Him. Often, a large part of that following is forgiving others.

If we are to forgive another's sin then one that is sinned against should also be praying the Lord's Prayer and forgiving the sinner. Understand my point that someone else forgives you?

4.) The pastor forgives your sins in the name of God. He is proclaiming to your hurt heart that yes, God has forgiven you.

Some denominations say pastors have the same rights as the apostles and can bind on earth things that will be bound in heaven, including forgiving sins.

5.) Communion offers grace. This is often called forgiveness by those outside the church, who don't understand that our faith comes from God. I mentioned faith in 3 where I defined "believe." We get that faith through the grace of God. We are given faith, forgiveness, salvation, redemption, etc. through the Sacraments, but the real thing going here is grace. Grace is God reaching out to us to give His children all good things. The sacrament is not merely straight forgiveness, it is grace. It is the love of God.

Some denominations say communion does offer forgiveness.

Is anything I said here unclear? I don't think I did a good job of explaining things, so if this leaves you with a question, please ask.

God bless you,
Grace

Thanks for looking at my post, my comments in blue.

You can not clear things up. It is on certain denominations that claim the power to actually forgive sins to reconcile an inconsistency.

I am assuming that you agree with me. One sin only needs to be forgiven one time by the death of Jesus on the cross.

All other "forgiveness" are just reminders of God's grace.

 

[Willie T]

Like anyone else, I blow it on a fairly regular basis.

But I have never done the, "Forgive me for this one, and that one, and Oh yeah... this one, too" routine.

I asked Jesus to include me in His forgiveness one time, at my baptism. He did, and it's done.

However, I do consistently tell Him how sorry I am that I slipped again, and I am always THANKing Him for the ongoing forgiveness that I now live under because of the cross.

 

[graciesings]

This is the only one that counts

Yes, this is the only forgiveness that counts. I said that!

If we are to forgive another's sin then one that is sinned against should also be praying the Lord's Prayer and forgiving the sinner. Understand my point that someone else forgives you?

Since my earlier point must not have made sense, I was saying that yes, we should forgive those who sin against us. We should be forgiving the sinner and praying the Lord's Prayer.

A point I was on the edge of making is that if someone hasn't forgiven us, then that still doesn't harm our souls.

Some denominations...

If you want to argue about "some denominations," you need to start a post in the
One Bread, One Body - Catholic, Theologia Crucis - Lutherans, or Scripture,Tradition,Reason. I don't really want to turn this thread into that argument, and since I am no amazing theologian I would like to see opinions on the topic in addition to my own.

Some denominations say pastors have the same rights as the apostles and can bind on earth things that will be bound in heaven, including forgiving sins.

So does the Bible. You're quoting Matthew 16. If God wanted apostolic authority while setting up His church in Greece and Rome, why would He let them all die and expect us to establish His church in America without that authority?

You can not clear things up. It is on certain denominations that claim the power to actually forgive sins to reconcile an inconsistency.

You're back to the "some denominations!" bit again. Do you think denominations in themselves are evil? Or are you a schismatic who respects your own authority over anyone else's?

I am trying to clarify the doctrine so that maybe you will realize this is not an inconsistency. What bothers you about that?

I am assuming that you agree with me. One sin only needs to be forgiven one time by the death of Jesus on the cross.

I agree. That forgiveness has multiple facets, though. It comes through the death of Jesus, the faith that comes from the death of Jesus, the repentance that comes from faith, the dedication to do better that comes from repentance.

All other "forgiveness" are just reminders of God's grace.

I don't follow you here. Are you saying that you forgiving another person is a reminder of God's grace? If so, I agree. Or are you saying that praying for forgiveness is just a reminder of God's grace? If so, I disagree, praying for forgiveness is more than just a reminder of grace!

One more point that needs made: Theology is complicated! Protestants often ignore this fact, and it has led to a downfall in many of their churches. The Bible is huge! God is more amazing than we can comprehend! Theology is going to be complicated, and we are going to find multiple facets of every truth that is contained in the Bible. There's no way you could sit down with the Bible for ten minutes or ten days or 10,000 years and come out knowing everything contained within. There are verses theologians have been attempting to explain for over a thousand years now, and the search has been narrowed down to a few main ideas.

I don't want to accuse you of oversimplifying things, but I think part of the reason you don't see the point I'm making is that you're trying to put forgiveness into 5 words or fewer. Please, take this issue as something complicated, because God is complicated. You will never understand Him or His works in 5 words or less, so open up to the fact that forgiveness is complicated to understand (even though it's easy to receive.) It is complicated, there are different parts of the process, there are different ways of looking at it.

God bless you,
Grace

 

[Willie T]

Nope, not 5........ 3. God is LOVE.

 

[graciesings]

Nope, not 5........ 3. God is LOVE.

Why 3?

 

[Willie T]

Count the words in the sentence.

 

[graciesings]

Oh, I get it.

 

[Willie T]

Not to make light of the fact that you still need to search the scriptures (The 1 Corinthians 13 "love" discourse) to find out all the things love is.... but then the simplicity of the Gospel message kicks in.

Yes, theology is complicated (because man made it), but God is not.

If this were not the case, a whole Bible just FULL of people saved after only short conversations would not be there for us to read.

 

[graciesings]

The fact that God saves us is not extremely complicated. But God Himself is too complicated (to our standards) to ever understand Him. God is omnipotent, the standard of perfection, and eternal. We can't wrap our minds around that, we can't stand in the presence of His glory, we can't know everything about God. So He is complicated in our eyes.

 

[AnticipateHisComing]

The fact that God saves us is not extremely complicated. But God Himself is too complicated (to our standards) to ever understand Him. God is omnipotent, the standard of perfection, and eternal. We can't wrap our minds around that, we can't stand in the presence of His glory, we can't know everything about God. So He is complicated in our eyes.

I agree with the part that what we need to understand for salvation is very simple so that even children can understand it. The other part about God being complicated thereby implying doctrine is complicated, I do not agree with. Just because God's plans and knowledge are beyond our understanding does not mean that what God wants us to learn from scriptures is beyond understanding. That would be deceiving for God to even put text in scripture that was beyond all understanding.

I also agree with Willie T, "theology is complicated (because man made it)" although the more proper word is DOCTRINE not theology.

This kind of gets to the crux of my OP. Forgiveness is simple. Salvation is simple. But, various churches of different denominations place great importance in complicating theology so that what results is such a wide range of doctrines. These doctrines are promoted in such an absolute context that it is essential to hold certain beliefs that a particular church promotes.

Grace, you think I am promoting schism? That boat has long sailed. I did not create the various denominations that hold such various views. I am merely pointing out that the basis for some of these divisions are not that important.

I thought that my OP was an extremely simple way of making my point that all Christians could agree with. Forgiveness is a result of Jesus dying on the cross and a belief in Jesus through faith is our salvation. This is the 1 answer to my OP question, how many times does a sin need to be forgiven.

The 4 other "forgiveness" actions are for our enrichment but not necessary for salvation. It is when different denominations complicate theology, adding requirements that a saint must hold a certain understanding for various means of God's grace to be valid that I am against.

One example of this. A pastor once told me that another church does not partake in communion because they do not have a correct understanding of it. He then said, but don't worry because communion is not necessary for salvation and they would still be saved.

I value God's grace as higher than man's understanding of it.

My intent in pointing out this question is that it has been a source of division in the churches. My hope would be that such divisions would be diminished if we realized it was not that important for salvation.

 

[graciesings]

I agree with the part that what we need to understand for salvation is very simple so that even children can understand it.

Actually, if you look closely, I was beating around the bush "not extremely complicated..." But yes, what we need to understand and do for salvation is so simple that even babies can understand and do it.

The other part about God being complicated thereby implying doctrine is complicated, I do not agree with. Just because God's plans and knowledge are beyond our understanding does not mean that what God wants us to learn from scriptures is beyond understanding. That would be deceiving for God to even put text in scripture that was beyond all understanding.

The difference here is between "what God wants us to learn" and "all knowledge." I personally don't believe we're supposed to learn everything from the Bible. God gives us the knowledge He wants us to have, and makes it clear to us. The rest of it is stuff He knows but isn't telling us, probably because we don't need to know it. A way I often explain this is that God told us He created everything. He didn't tell us how He created everything. If God gave me the formula to create a goldfish, I would have no idea what it meant! God knows I can't understand things like that, so He just told me that He created the world. That is all I need to know, He in His infinite wisdom knows that's all I need and that's all He told me.

I also agree with Willie T, "theology is complicated (because man made it)" although the more proper word is DOCTRINE not theology.

At the risk of sounding repetitive, theology is complicated because God is so great we can never fully understand Him.

Whether it's truth or fiction, this is one of my favorite stories about a saint: St. Augustine and the Mystery of the Trinity

This kind of gets to the crux of my OP. Forgiveness is simple. Salvation is simple. But, various churches of different denominations place great importance in complicating theology so that what results is such a wide range of doctrines. These doctrines are promoted in such an absolute context that it is essential to hold certain beliefs that a particular church promotes.

There are a few churches who over complicate theology. However I am reluctant to agree with you, because there are also a few churches that WAY over-simplify theology. I have a bad feeling that you're in agreement with some of them?

Grace, you think I am promoting schism? That boat has long sailed. I did not create the various denominations that hold such various views. I am merely pointing out that the basis for some of these divisions are not that important.

I thought that my OP was an extremely simple way of making my point that all Christians could agree with. Forgiveness is a result of Jesus dying on the cross and a belief in Jesus through faith is our salvation. This is the 1 answer to my OP question, how many times does a sin need to be forgiven.

The 4 other "forgiveness" actions are for our enrichment but not necessary for salvation. It is when different denominations complicate theology, adding requirements that a saint must hold a certain understanding for various means of God's grace to be valid that I am against.

I am explaining that your other "forgiveness" actions are part of forgiveness. However, since you don't think God does anything complicated, I may need to take a different angle.

One example of this. A pastor once told me that another church does not partake in communion because they do not have a correct understanding of it. He then said, but don't worry because communion is not necessary for salvation and they would still be saved.

At the risk of putting my foot in my face and revealing which "terrible" denomination I agree with, the pastor was right. Communion is not necessary for salvation. HOWEVER, it aids in salvation. God gives us grace through the Eucharist, thus it aids in salvation. However it is not the ONLY means of salvation, because God gives us grace through other things. Grace is necessary for salvation. Communion, one of the means of grace, is beneficial but not required.

I value God's grace as higher than man's understanding of it.

That's what I've been saying. God's grace is amazing, so amazing that we can't fully understand it. All we can understand of it is part of (how it relates to us and what we should do in return.)

My intent in pointing out this question is that it has been a source of division in the churches. My hope would be that such divisions would be diminished if we realized it was not that important for salvation.

Yes, we wouldn't have divisions if people like you were more open minded and agreed with the church. But we also wouldn't have divisions if we all turned around and became atheists, so divisions may be a necessary evil?

God bless you,
Grace

 

[AnticipateHisComing]

Actually, if you look closely, I was beating around the bush "not extremely complicated..." But yes, what we need to understand and do for salvation is so simple that even babies can understand and do it.

The difference here is between "what God wants us to learn" and "all knowledge." I personally don't believe we're supposed to learn everything from the Bible. God gives us the knowledge He wants us to have, and makes it clear to us. The rest of it is stuff He knows but isn't telling us, probably because we don't need to know it. A way I often explain this is that God told us He created everything. He didn't tell us how He created everything. If God gave me the formula to create a goldfish, I would have no idea what it meant! God knows I can't understand things like that, so He just told me that He created the world. That is all I need to know, He in His infinite wisdom knows that's all I need and that's all He told me.

At the risk of sounding repetitive, theology is complicated because God is so great we can never fully understand Him.

Nice way to pretend to agree with me when you really don't.

There are a few churches who over complicate theology. However I am reluctant to agree with you, because there are also a few churches that WAY over-simplify theology. I have a bad feeling that you're in agreement with some of them?

I agree.

Who taught you this kind of logic? Say one thing. Say the opposite. Interject the judgement, I have a bad feeling you believe something.
This is not an argument. This is just you offering up your opinion at disagreeing with me. That much is obvious. Don't pretend to make an argument out of you just offering up that you don't agree with me.

I am explaining that your other "forgiveness" actions are part of forgiveness.

I missed this. Where did you EXPLAIN forgiveness has more than one part? I thought you agreed with me that forgiveness is only from Jesus' death.

However, since you don't think God does anything complicated, I may need to take a different angle.

You should never say what other people think because you can't read minds.
I have never stated anything like God doesn't do anything complicated.
Yes you do.

At the risk of putting my foot in my face and revealing which "terrible" denomination I agree with, the pastor was right. Communion is not necessary for salvation. HOWEVER, it aids in salvation. God gives us grace through the Eucharist, thus it aids in salvation. However it is not the ONLY means of salvation, because God gives us grace through other things. Grace is necessary for salvation. Communion, one of the means of grace, is beneficial but not required.

Why would I think it terrible for you to state in multiple sentences what I stated in one? Go back and read my post. My argument was churches putting theological conditions on God's grace of which you ignore.

That's what I've been saying. God's grace is amazing, so amazing that we can't fully understand it. All we can understand of it is part of (how it relates to us and what we should do in return.)

So we can't fully understand God's grace but we can understand it enough to put certain requirements on it.

Yes, we wouldn't have divisions if people like you were more open minded and agreed with the church. But we also wouldn't have divisions if we all turned around and became atheists, so divisions may be a necessary evil?

LOL, you mean we wouldn't have divisions if I and all the other churches had open minds and agreed with YOUR church.

Thanks for saying I don't have an open mind and comparing me with atheists.

You really need to learn how to avoid making judgments, present logical arguments and not just preach what you believe.

 

[graciesings]

What happened here? I get the feeling your responses have gone from countering my arguments to wondering why I was crazy enough to say that. I'll try to straighten things out but if we can't discuss this in goodwill, we shouldn't at all.

Also, I noticed a couple of places where you said "That's what I've been saying all along!" I apologize for not stating my position more clearly. I'm glad we agree.

Nice way to pretend to agree with me when you really don't.

That's exactly what I was doing how did you know? Actually, the thing is that I agreed with your main point, but not the details. I was trying to state that I agreed with the main idea without making it look like I agreed with the rest.

I agree.

Who taught you this kind of logic? Say one thing. Say the opposite. Interject the judgement, I have a bad feeling you believe something.
This is not an argument. This is just you offering up your opinion at disagreeing with me. That much is obvious. Don't pretend to make an argument out of you just offering up that you don't agree with me.

I taught myself this kind of logic, and yes that was my opinion. My opinion is that, while I'll concede that some churches over-complicate theology, I think you are over-simplifying it. It's the same idea of agreeing with part of what you said, but making sure I don't agree with the heretical part. (Just kidding, I don't think you're a heretic, I'm just making sure you see I'm not going to say I agree when I don't agree with the implications.)

I missed this. Where did you EXPLAIN forgiveness has more than one part? I thought you agreed with me that forgiveness is only from Jesus' death.

Ooops, I must not have been clear enough.

Forgiveness is from Jesus' death
Jesus' death opens the path to Heaven for those who pray for forgiveness and confess their sins.
And
Jesus' death opens up the means of grace, giving us access to the Word (Bible) and Sacraments (Baptism, Communion, Confession, etc.)

You should never say what other people think because you can't read minds.
I have never stated anything like God doesn't do anything complicated.
Yes you do.

Sorry, that was uncalled for. I grew up in a large family and love to poke at people, it's a bad habit that has followed me.

Why would I think it terrible for you to state in multiple sentences what I stated in one? Go back and read my post. My argument was churches putting theological conditions on God's grace of which you ignore.

I spent a paragraph discussing it in my last post, and if you want to discuss grace in detail, I will. I hadn't fully addressed that specific subject because I was busy addressing forgiveness, which comes from grace but brings up different issues.

So we can't fully understand God's grace but we can understand it enough to put certain requirements on it.

So we can't fully understand God's grace, but we can follow the Bible's explanation of it.

LOL, you mean we wouldn't have divisions if I and all the other churches had open minds and agreed with YOUR church.

Thanks for saying I don't have an open mind and comparing me with atheists.

I was not trying to insult you! I was mainly trying to point out the problem with the argument in which you explained that there wouldn't be as many divisions in the church if people like me turned around and agreed with everything you say. I'm glad that you're trying to unify believers, but wanted to point out that if you think divisions should disappear by me agreeing with you, I can also turn around and wonder why you don't agree with me.

I didn't compare you with atheists. I stated that if we all became atheists there wouldn't be divisions in the church. It was supposed to be funny, but I guess you didn't understand my sarcasm.

You really need to learn how to avoid making judgments, present logical arguments and not just preach what you believe.

In all seriousness, what should I preach?

 

[sculleywr]

The church has five different places of forgiveness.

1) Jesus died to forgive our sins.
2) I pray for forgiveness in the Lord's Prayer.
3) The Lord's prayer says the one I sinned against should forgive me.
4) The pastor forgives my sins.
5) Communion offers forgiveness.

Sorry, but I think 1 sin only needs to be forgiven 1 time.

I think another word should be used for the other 4 places of forgiveness.

This is a rather odd way to view Confessional churches, especially since it is inaccurate.

1. Jesus died to forgive our sins
2. We must accept that forgiveness by confessing my sins, not in the Lord's prayer alone, but in real, genuine confessions before Christ for specific sins, both at conversion, and throughout my Christian life
3. As I sin, I come to the priest for Confession, but the Priest does not forgive my sins. He merely stands as witness to the forgiveness, and as a guide to teach me how to defeat sin in my struggle. At Confession, the Priest offers tips, advice, and analogies based on his experience as an elder believer. Each Confession is different, with the Priest becoming more familiar with the needs of the parishioner. Through this, I walk away not only with the knowledge that I am forgiven, but with replenished ammunition for the daily war of spiritual life.
4. Communion offers Remission, but not forgiveness, of sins, meaning that it then repairs the scars sin leaves on our souls. In this way, Confession acts as a cleanser for our hearts, while Communion acts as a buffer, restoring the damaged parts of our heart to their new condition.

I hope that helps

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

The church has five different places of forgiveness.

1) Jesus died to forgive our sins.

2) I pray for forgiveness in the Lord's Prayer.
3) The Lord's prayer says the one I sinned against should forgive me.
4) The pastor forgives my sins.
5) Communion offers forgiveness.
Sorry, but I think 1 sin only needs to be forgiven 1 time.
I think another word should be used for the other 4 places of forgiveness.

God sees things different than man does. It may be life-critical to read in the Scripture(both Old and New Testament, all)
where or when or why sin is NOT forgiven. > including most importantly
on judgment day.
This fact is clear on judgment day, when the Master tells multitudes to their surprise "...be gone from Me, I never knew you.." , and they were very active church worshipers.

Don't trust what any 'church' says about this - get it straight and true from God Himself, like the BEREANS,
it is in His Word,
and He will hold each one responsible for himself,
and HE won't accept "... the woman gave me..." or "...the angel of light said.."
as an excuse.
no.
no excuses.

(perhaps see first john first, it's a short 5 chapters i think, and wonderful for the true believer in Christ Jesus abiding in Him).

 

[stevenfrancis]

1) Jesus died to forgive our sins.

Jesus suffered and died FOR the sins of the believers. Past present and future. Forgiveness in a general sense, yes, but also as self-punishment. So God would not punish us anymore in this temporal life. No more Sodom and Gomorrah fire and brimstone. You are still accountable for your personal sin. The difference is, that now, with God's offering of sanctifying grace, a contrite heart, and by loving God above all, and your neighbor as yourself, you may have eternal life with God.

4) The pastor forgives my sins.

Actually, the Priest is acting "in persona Christi" (In the person of Christ. It is Christ who forgives you, (absolves you) of your sin. This is if you are truly sorry, and have a sincere amendment to avoid the near occasion of sin. To not sin again. The sin is forgiven, (it is no longer an impediment to entering eternal life), but the temporal effects of sin remain until the performance of penance.

5) Communion offers forgiveness.

There are other things too which you haven't even mentioned, such as the general confession in the Mass. Selfless giving to others. etc.

Communion offers sanctifying grace. It is our spiritual food. Strength for the journey. If the body and blood are properly discerned in the appearance of the bread and wine, then you are receiving grace from God. Here again. Not exactly forgiveness for your individual sin.

Baptism joins us with Christ's death. We die with Christ in Baptism, and are reborn with Him. Our original sin is no more. We have also been joined to the Christian community.

We still have a sinful nature. Jesus instituted sacraments to offer His grace to us as we live out our lives. Our small, or venial sins which are straying from the Christian path, are in fact taken care of in some of the ways which you have mentioned here. The Lord's prayer. The general confession of the mass. The atonement at Calvary.

Mortal sin is sin in which you have intentionally turned away from God. It is a deep wound, and even a severance from God's grace, by your choice. If you are truly sorrowful about mortal sin, and are willing to make it right, He offers personal individual forgiveness to the sinner in the sacrament of reconciliation, as an extension of the apostolic gift to bind and loose. When this occurs, you will be given absolution, THROUGH the Priest BY Christ. Performance of your prescribed penance will dispel temporal effect/punishment due to sin. Then, with the mortal sin cleared from your soul, and your sincere desire to resume your relationship with God, you are offered the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, which is God's grace for strength in turning away from your sinful nature, and to be in "communion" with the entire mystical body of Christ, the Angels, and the Saints. To worship with them in thanksgiving (eukarista) in Heaven. Heaven and Earth touch at the point of communion. At the Holy Mass.

These are not all forgiveness for one sin, one time. They are a program, if you will, designed by Jesus Christ in order to keep you with Himself during your mortal life, so that you can be with Him eternally in the life to come.

I hope I am explaining this with charity, and with some kind of clarity. I'm not the most articulate poster on the block.

 

[GoldenKingGaze]

When you repent or confess and forgive, ideally, the Holy Spirit touches you and you have a clear conscience, no shame, and no grudges. The inner man is uplifted.

Communion is only for those with a clear conscience.

Jesus' blood applied can clear your conscience.

I wish I repented daily or weekly.