Do I need to repent every time I pray?
Question
I know Jesus paid for all of my sins, past, present, and future so do I need to keep asking for forgiveness and repent every time I pray? Sin didn’t used to bother me but now I feel guilt when I do. I know that’s the Holy Spirit convicting me and working on me. I’ve been a Christian for quite awhile and am saved.
Response
From Rev. Dr. George Payton: We should confess our sins to God as soon as we are aware that we have sinned. However, we do not always need to be asking God for forgiveness. When we place our faith in Jesus Christ for salvation, all our sins are forgiven. That includes past, present, and future, big or small. Believers do not have to keep asking for forgiveness or repenting to have their sins forgiven. Jesus died to pay the penalty for all our sins, and when they are forgiven, they are all forgiven (Colossians 1:14; Acts 10:43).
What we are to do is confess our sins: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1st John 1:9). What this verse tells us to do is “confess” our sins to God. The word “confess” means “to agree with.” When we confess our sins to God, we are agreeing with God that we were wrong, that we have sinned. God forgives us, through confession, on an ongoing basis because He is “faithful and just.” How is God “faithful and just”? He is faithful by forgiving sins, which He has promised to do for all those who receive Christ as Savior. He is just by applying Christ’s payment for our sins, recognizing that the sins have indeed been atoned for.
At the same time, 1st John 1:9 does indicate that somehow forgiveness is dependent on our confessing our sins to God. How does this work if all our sins are forgiven the moment we receive Christ as Savior? It seems that what the apostle John is describing here is “relational ”forgiveness. All our sins are forgiven “positionally” the moment we receive Christ as Savior. This positional forgiveness guarantees our salvation and the promise of an eternal home in heaven. When we stand before God after death, God will not deny us entrance into heaven because of our sins. That is positional forgiveness. The concept of relational forgiveness is because when we sin, we offend God and grieve His Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). While God has ultimately forgiven us of the sins we commit, they still result in a blocking or hindrance in our relationship with God. A young boy who sins against his father is not cast out of the family. A godly father will forgive his children unconditionally. At the same time, a good relationship between father and son cannot be achieved until the relationship is restored. This can only occur when a child confesses his mistakes to his father and apologizes. That is why we confess our sins to God - - not to maintain our salvation, but to bring ourselves back into close fellowship with the God who loves us and has already forgiven us.
From Pastor Richard Miller: To this I would add that anything that reminds us of our shortcomings, and at the same time our dependence upon God, is always a good thing! Humility is one of the only weapons we have against pride and pride is the great destroyer of faith. If continuing to confess my sins reminds of my need for a Savior, which will then lead to thankfulness for that Savior…I’m going to confess every time I can! Also, as you said, that conviction is the Holy Spirit working on you and letting you know that there is more that God is wanting to do in your life and through your life and more of Himself that He wants to reveal to you, which is ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE!!!!