Didn't God forgive your sins on the cross?
Yes, and here’s the kicker: I received forgiveness because I confessed and repented
God doesn’t give it otherwise.
Did you even read my post before commenting?
God forgave your sins on the cross, you made the choice to receive forgiveness by confessing.
God doesn't ask you to forgive criminals for no reason, or to hold humans to a higher standard. You forgive just as God forgives. To RECEIVE the forgiveness you must confess and repent. That's what the criminal who sins against you must do to receive your forgiveness.
Capiche? Sabes? Comprende?
Now… that is what I was looking for. That very well may be the missing piece here. Thank you.
confessed
If you confess that JESUS IS LORD and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
That's part of it. You must also confess your sins and repent of them. Repent doesn't mean saying "I'm sorry", either. The word actually means to turn in the opposite direction.
It clearly says, numerous times, in the bible that God only forgives the sins of those who confess them and repent of them.
Let's say you got saved last week, and then you murder someone this week for whatever reason. God still requires that you confess and repent of that sin. You're being saved is not a license to sin freely.
(post is archived)