Christian Forums

1. I'm sure it doesn't matter when you ask forgiveness of sins. I know you get saved through Jesus Christ. But you can ask God or Jesus for forgiveness of your sins right? Seems like a dumb question but I know you can only be saved I think through Jesus.


2. When one is saved they repent of their sins. My question is even for someone who would be born again, they are still going to sin in their life. Nobody is perfect. So does God just want effort on your part and do your best and just keep repenting over and over again?

I don't think your questions are dumb.  Here is what I think as far as an answer:

1. It doesn't matter if you pray to God the Father or to Jesus when you are asking for forgiveness for sins.  What DOES matter is that you realize the redemption from your sin comes through the work and person of Jesus Christ.   The reason you can 'only be saved through Jesus' is because of his work (death and resurrection) and because this is the path God has provided for that mercy.

2. Everyone sins.  But there is a difference between being immersed in sin; being overtaken by sin and in sinning.  What I mean is this - when you have accepted Christ as the means of your salvation, you have become a new creature through the Holy Spirit.   So, by this Spirit, you should find yourself wanting new things, seeing things in a new light and turning away from the old.  This doesn't happen over night and for some people it's a terible struggle between the flesh and the spirit.   Do not let this discourage you, ok?   Also, I think this is important - as soon as you feel in your spirit you have sinned, then it's important to admit it to God and repent of it - turn away from it.

Blessings to you on this day and I hope your journey with Christ is joyful - He is always with us, through all things.

Loa

thanks for your response. Anybody else is welcome to answer too. I really want to know that I am saved right now. But I have always had doubts in my life even at the existence of God. I think the reason sometimes I even now question the existence sometimes is because I'm not where I need to be in terms of my faith. I've always been worried that  you must be baptized to be saved and I haven't been to this point. But I just have never known for certain that I'm saved and it's a quest to try and figure out.

I hope you are able to find what you seek.

The only other thing I can tell you is this:  you must believe that God is who He says and that He is able and willing to perform what He proclaims.   So - if God has said, "THIS is the means of your salvation, then believe it is and move forward from there.

On the other hand, if you have held back or half heartedly just spoken words, then it's time to ask God to show you what to do. 

God did not say this is easy - he just said he would be with us through it.  Trust that.

Loa

Jesus said, "I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." (Luke 5:32) And there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. (Luke 15:10) Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. (Acts 3:19) For Godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. (2 Corinthians 7:10)

If you have doubts about your salvation, please read John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.  He that believeth in Him is not condemned, but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

love,

sopranette

Read the first letter of John. He says he wrote it so that you can know you are saved. Just read it and begin to implement the things he says into your life, don't try to understand everything, that will come later.

Water baptism is very important, but you're going to be disappointed if you believe that it will make the difference. Water baptism is a mere ritual unless preceded and accompanied by faith.

Repentance means to change your mind. Once you change your view of things you will be surprised how God uses that to cange your habits.

The new life begins when we believe.

Romans 10:9
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart Man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed.  For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek:  for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him.  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

love,

Sopranette

Quote from: volsfan1 on Sat Feb 14, 2009 - 23:47:39
1. I'm sure it doesn't matter when you ask forgiveness of sins. I know you get saved through Jesus Christ. But you can ask God or Jesus for forgiveness of your sins right? Seems like a dumb question but I know you can only be saved I think through Jesus.

One needs to acknowledge that he sins. It is part and parcel of this admission that we ask forgiveness for them. It is natural for people in relationship to acknowledge they have injured the other, and so it is with God. When we live differently than God wants, differently than God made us, it is appropriate to live so that we routinely acknowledge our injuries to one another. Is there a set time, or a set number of days? No.

Quote2. When one is saved they repent of their sins. My question is even for someone who would be born again, they are still going to sin in their life. Nobody is perfect. So does God just want effort on your part and do your best and just keep repenting over and over again?

Not quite. The call is to a way of live; a commitment to a way of life. In that sense, we repent (turn back to where we are supposed to be) on a regular basis much like correcting a sailboat to a particular course. We are not called to perform, but to live. It isn't so much "effort" as it is intention and correction.