Praying for forgiveness of sins after being saved?

[GeorgiaGuyinAtlanta]

I've often wondered why many people pray for the forgiveness of their sins even after they've been saved. Admittedly, I've done this because I want to be right with God, even though I've had questions as to whether it was actually needed.

Think of this

When you are saved, you are saved from sin and death. That is, you have been justified, sealed with the blood of the lamb. What purpose, then, is there in asking for forgiveness for the remission of sins, since your sins are already covered with Jesus shed blood?

I can understand it in the following context:

We ask for relational forgiveness from God, but not for the remission of sins, as those have already been taken care of as part of salvation. What do you think?

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

I've often wondered why many people pray for the forgiveness of their sins even after they've been saved. Admittedly, I've done this because I want to be right with God, even though I've had questions as to whether it was actually needed.

Think of this

When you are saved, you are saved from sin and death. That is, you have been justified, sealed with the blood of the lamb. What purpose, then, is there in asking for forgiveness for the remission of sins, since your sins are already covered with Jesus shed blood?

I can understand it in the following context:

We ask for relational forgiveness from God, but not for the remission of sins, as those have already been taken care of as part of salvation. What do you think?

Coming to the throne of grace is for conscience sake.

 

[ViaCrucis]

I was given a bottle of cooling aloe because it's summer and I'm a red head, I burn incredibly easily.

Every time I get burned, I apply the aloe gel. That the aloe is mine because it was given to me doesn't change the fact that I still get burned, and it is the application of the aloe to those burns where I actually receive the benefits of the gift.

In the same way the Church administers the once-and-for-all work of Jesus Christ to her members through the Means of Word and Sacrament, the preaching of the Gospel is efficacious in delivering Christ's saving work to us, which is why we confess our sins. "You are forgiven" is the salve that heals the wounded and sick sinner, to hear it and believe it, to trust in Christ and His finished work, is our salvation. Not merely was our salvation, but is our salvation; it is what saves you, even now, right now in this moment.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[Steeno7]

I've often wondered why many people pray for the forgiveness of their sins even after they've been saved.

Because they do not accept that in Christ they have forgiveness. Due mostly to the never ending misunderstanding and misuse of 1 John 1:9.

 

[ViaCrucis]

Because they do not accept that in Christ they have forgiveness. Due mostly to the never ending misunderstanding and misuse of 1 John 1:9.

False.

I have forgiveness in Christ, that is why I confess my sins.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[Steeno7]

False.

I have forgiveness in Christ, that is why I confess my sins.

-CryptoLutheran

Good for you.

 

[topcare]

I've often wondered why many people pray for the forgiveness of their sins even after they've been saved. Admittedly, I've done this because I want to be right with God, even though I've had questions as to whether it was actually needed.

Think of this

When you are saved, you are saved from sin and death. That is, you have been justified, sealed with the blood of the lamb. What purpose, then, is there in asking for forgiveness for the remission of sins, since your sins are already covered with Jesus shed blood?

I can understand it in the following context:

We ask for relational forgiveness from God, but not for the remission of sins, as those have already been taken care of as part of salvation. What do you think?

Because we are human and still sin after conversion

 

[paul1149]

The best way I can put it is that our sins are no longer imputed to us once we are in Christ. But clearly we still do miss the mark, and that reality needs to be dealt with, since our goal is perfection (though not perfectionism). In comes 1Jn 1.9. But we invoke it confidently, knowing how firm the foundation is upon which we stand, the completed work of Christ. If we stood on our own righteousness, we would be in dire straights indeed.

Not only forgiveness, but cleansing is at issue according to 1Jn 1.9. AISI, this is a vital dynamic for the Christian, but critically, it all occurs in the wonderful context of grace and sonship, not law and condemnation.

 

[graceandpeace]

We are sinners, & sometimes we need to be forgiven.

 

[sunshineforJesus]

because all of us sin everyday and need Gods forgiveness continually.

 

[tturt]

One Biblical example, The Lord's Prayer, Matt 6 -
Our Father (indicates believers) ...forgive us

 

[GeorgiaGuyinAtlanta]

One Biblical example, The Lord's Prayer, Matt 6 -
Our Father (indicates believers) ...forgive us

Good point.

However, if our sins are already covered, then why do we do it? Is it about bringing a person to humility and admitting we've done wrong?

 

[Mama Kidogo]

False.

I have forgiveness in Christ, that is why I confess my sins.

-CryptoLutheran

Indeed. It's not like we tell God something He doesn't already know.

 

[Mama Kidogo]

Good point.

However, if our sins are already covered, then why do we do it? Is it about bringing a person to humility and admitting we've done wrong?

Because Christ taught us to ask forgiveness when He taught us how to pray.
Yes it does teach us to be humble as well as to accept and admit our shortcomings and our need for God's help daily.

 

[Steeno7]

Good point.

However, if our sins are already covered, then why do we do it? Is it about bringing a person to humility and admitting we've done wrong?

Exactly. If we already have forgiveness in Christ, and we truly know and believe that, then why would we continue to ask God for what we already have? Why indeed.

 

[Yarddog]

Good point.

However, if our sins are already covered, then why do we do it? Is it about bringing a person to humility and admitting we've done wrong?

Being saved is just the first step in our salvation. We are called to grow as children of God, to go from drinking milk to eating solid food. Being humbled is part of that process. Understanding that we still commit sin helps us to understand others who also have sin in their lives.

As long as we have Christ, forgiveness is there but we shouldn't be so satisfied with ourselves that we don't reflect inwardly so to continue to be less while God grows inside.

 

[catholichomeschooler]

I've often wondered why many people pray for the forgiveness of their sins even after they've been saved. Admittedly, I've done this because I want to be right with God, even though I've had questions as to whether it was actually needed.

Think of this

When you are saved, you are saved from sin and death. That is, you have been justified, sealed with the blood of the lamb. What purpose, then, is there in asking for forgiveness for the remission of sins, since your sins are already covered with Jesus shed blood?

I can understand it in the following context:

We ask for relational forgiveness from God, but not for the remission of sins, as those have already been taken care of as part of salvation. What do you think?

John 20
21Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Romans 3
21But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22This righteousness is given through faith inh Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,i through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

Being saved is just the first step in our salvation. We are called to grow as children of God, to go from drinking milk to eating solid food. Being humbled is part of that process. Understanding that we still commit sin helps us to understand others who also have sin in their lives.

As long as we have Christ, forgiveness is there but we shouldn't be so satisfied with ourselves that we don't reflect inwardly so to continue to be less while God grows inside.

I like the inferrence to John the Baptist's statement 'He must increase while I must decrease'

 

[ChetSinger]

Good point.

However, if our sins are already covered, then why do we do it? Is it about bringing a person to humility and admitting we've done wrong?

I have a question: why do you believe that future sins don't require future confession and repentance?

Myself, I think (and have been taught) that they do, and which is why Jesus included a request for forgiveness in the Lord's Prayer.

 

[Melethiel]

Do you think it is good for a relationship to let errors fester, rather than seeking reconciliation?

Prayer is not for God, but for us.