Does our ability, as Christians, to be forgiven simply by asking and believing...?

As someone who was raised in the Catholic Church, and therefore, made to go to Confession, I learned that just confessing and being "forgiven" was NOT the whole picture. In the confessional, before receiving absolution, a Catholic must say a sincere Act of Contrition. In that prayer, we say that we are sorry for our sins, because they hurt God, (and because we fear "Hell"), but we also promise to TRY to sin no more. Also, when the priest sends us from the confessional, he usually says, "Go, and sin no more."

It was this very thing that made me firswt break away from the Church as a teenager. NOT that I had to go to Confession, or that I didn't believe in it---but that so many people were hypocrites about it! They would confess on Saturday, go to Communion on Sunday, and then be right back at the same 'ol s__t by Sunday night, saying, "Well I can just go to Confession", ignoring the fact that they promised to try to stay away from that sin!

No, we are not absolved from our responsibilities! We all sin, and we can all be forgiven, but we must try to live in a Christ-like manner, and try NOT to sin!!!! You are so right! Forgiveness is not a magic potion to dip ourselves into when we feel the "heat". We should try to live in a manner that does not require the asking for forgiveness on a regular basis!

I find so many hypocritical Christians on these pages of YA---I just wonder how they interpret the life of Christ.....

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I agree with you 100%. Sunday Christians make me want to puke. It's the "do as I say, not as I do" syndrome.

What it all comes down to is the phrase "walk your talk".

People are watching us and WAITING for us to slip up. What is important for non believers to realize is that for a lot of us it is not hard to ADMIT we don't think we're perfect or better and know we fall short of that. It's the ones who "pretend" to be perfect all week, quote massive amounts of scripture at people (christian and non christian alike) go to church on Sunday and do the "repentance thing", and then go back to the same ol' hypocritical pattern that gives Christianity and Religion a bad rap all the way around.

Good question that should make most Christians think about the way they are acting.

Good question and a timely reminder.

We could all do a little more "walking the walk" around here. What is it about free online forums that just brings out the worst in people?

You know, as a society, we've come to accept that there is such a thing as "verbal abuse." Words hurt.

So why should it be any different in here than in "real life?"

Just because we can be anonymous, does that absolve us of all etiquette?

They must be true saved christians that really believe and trust in the Lord. We are to follow Him and do as He would do. No it is not right to sin all wek and go to church and ask forgiveness. He will forgive a true Christian who ask for forgiveness, but He expects them to act as Christians even out of church. Yes, it is better to attempt to live a "Christ-like life!!!!!!

To answer the question.....no. You forgot to mention repentence, the first step, which means you have a change of mind & heart and turn from your sin and decide to forsake it. Step 2, confess that sin and in sincerity ask God for forgiveness.

I wonder exactly how many is a "large number" of "self-professed" Christians.....? Sounds like a lot, but in my experience (and I'm around large numbers of Christians frequently, but especially smaller numers of Christians), I seldom run into anyone who spews nothing but hatred, vitrol, and bigoty all week long .......and then goes to church on Sun. to be forgiven. That's such a broad statement I wonder if you even know 1 person that fits all that. Well, in any case,

l. Just saying you're Christian doesn't make it so.

2. A true Christian might exhibit one of the qualities once in a while, but not all the time or everytime you connect with them. The Holy Spirit will not let us to continue in a lifestyle of sin. Believe me, He keeps us all in check.

3. A Christian seldom waits to be at church to ask forgiveness. He takes care of that wherever he is at the time he is repentent of any sin. Although, he may be in church when that conviction of what he's done comes upon him, & he repents and asks forgiveness in the church.

4. Your last two questions.....yes, and of course. I can't think of one Christian I know that doesn't agree and live their life this way. We are adopted into God's family and stand in the righteousness of Christ, not our own righteousness. As long as we live in this human body we will continue to sin.....everyone, Christians included, will sin. It is the desire of the Christian to follow Jesus and live in such a way to please Him.......thus the name "Christ---tian". This is in the heart of any Christian, even if they fail once in a while. That's why He tells us the way to restore ourselves when we sin. He truly provides all our needs, even the need to recover from our daily sins.

I just think you need to re-read your blanket condemnation of Christians and figure out who you really have issues with and whether it really is as bad as you described it. Then, if you have no failures yourself, go ahead and throw that stone. May God relieve you of your anger and bring peace to your heart.

Thats exactly what my mom acts like. She always goes crazy but then at the end of the day she goes back to God and asks for forgiveness. I think the thing is that they are constantly pressured that God can come back to earth anytime, so if you hadn't asked for forgiveness you aren't saved. So your better off not sinning if you can. I believe you were able to ask for forgiveness multiple times cause humans will never be perfect.

No, forgiveness comes from true repentance, from turning away from one's sins. It would seem that if someone keeps committing the same sin(s) over and over again without any apparent attempt at changing the behavior, one can rightly question whether they are actually repentant.

I think you're wrong for accusing Christians of "spewing hatred, vitriol and bigotry all week". I really don't believe you're a very learned Christian since Christians don't go to church on Sunday to be forgiven.

It's what makes "selling" this ideology so popular. People suck it up because instanteously they think they don't have to answer to God for their mistakes in life and in truth, it doesn't work that way. Man has made everything "easy" in their religions to fill their offering plates while sending many to hell. It's the peoples fault for being so irresponsible and evasive. Jesus said that everything a person does (work) is that persons reward, those who don't work get nothing. He said this to his apostles prior to sending them out amongst the "wolves" so to speak. Getting to heaven is no different. Those who rely on LAZINESS to get there simply by deluding themselves they have "paid" their minister or church to buy forgiveness will have their reward for neglects to be responsible for the "sins" and "AMEND" them. Jesus said first take the speck out of thine own eye before coming to the father in heaven...................

Forgiveness isn't just attained by asking for it and then waiting. For example, if someone sleeps with someone other than their spouse, then goes to church and asks for forgiveness then goes out to do it again, do you think they'll be forgiven? It's not that easy and the people that believe that are..well...foolish.