Asking God’s Forgiveness

Are we required to ask God for forgiveness? The short answer is, No but that would make for a very short post so you know there is more.

The first thing we need to recognize is what Jesus did for us by dying on the cross and resurrecting three days later. The act provided us a gift of eternal life through forgiveness of sin (i.e. salvation). This forgiveness extends to all sin. Those committed in the past and those we have yet to commit have all been forgiven. What a fantastic free offering.

The second thing we need to recognize is that we are sinners in need of the gift of forgiveness leading to salvation and eternal life (i.e. salvation).

Even if one chooses to reject the gift it doesn’t mean that the gift wasn’t paid for, in full. The gift sits, offered freely to all, waiting for our response. Christ died and your rejection of His offering does not invalidate His once and forever offer of forgiveness and salvation. In other words, the act of forgiveness has happened and cannot be reversed. We don’t need to request the gift of forgiveness as God has already made the offer because He knows our needs. So how do we take the gift?

To take ownership of a gift one must reach out and receive the gift from the giver. In this case that requires us to come into agreement with God that we are sinners in need of a Savior. That is called repentance.

We must repent of our sins, believe Jesus is the Messiah and choose to follow God fully. We won’t be perfect but will live in the accepted gift of forgiveness previously paid for and offered. We strive to lead lives that honor God for who He is and for what He has given.

Forgiveness has been purchased, sealed and offered. We don’t have to ask for that act because Jesus gave that to all freely through His death and resurrection.

Repentance and belief are all that is necessary to accept the gift of forgiveness and salvation.