How can people really be forgiven just by praying for forgiveness?

How can people really be forgiven just by praying for forgiveness?
Marc


Dear Marc:

Interestingly, that seems rather simplistic and easy, doesn’t it?

Well, it is rather true, but it’s a bit deeper than it may appear. You see as humans, we are natural sinners and imperfect in our ways (Psalm 51:5). This is a trait that comes from Adam’s original sin in Genesis. (Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world… Romans 5:12, 17).
So as sinner’s we really cannot attain to the presence and throne of Almighty God, who is perfect (Heb 5:9). Hence, we need a mediator that is Christ Jesus who “also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God…” (1 Peter 3:18).

In terms of forgiveness, we need to petition our mediator, who is Christ Jesus to forgive us and then, He will impute his righteousness to us (Romans 5:19). But, it’s not as simple as asking, but rather believing in your heart. Romans 10:9-10 states, “that if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.”

While you may see biblical examples of forgiveness, you may wonder, “that was easy.” It is easy to see the spoken words in the text but a bit more difficult to show the condition of the belief in the heart. Let’s take a good look at the thief on the cross right next to Jesus. He simply asked Jesus, “remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Luke 23:42). Yet, the response from Jesus was amazingly positive giving hope to the thief, and consequently generations of believers – “today you will be with me in paradise.”

You see, it is from the heart that you ask for forgiveness from God, not necessarily with the tongue. So please, talk with Jesus with a forgiving heart and it will be done. That’s His promise to us (Romans 10:17). Then, the true reward is that you will have eternal life with God the Father and God the Son in paradise (Luke 23:43).

Blessings.
Dean