Christ prayed from the cross to forgive those who crucified him, because they did not know what they did. Luke 23:34
When a faithful person sins, but is completely unaware that it is a sin, then it is unintentional and covered by the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
But, If a faithful person commits a sin intentionally, whether with purpose or in neglect, then that person is in the condition of sin. The blood of Jesus Christ does not cover that sin afterwards.
The LORD God has promised to give eternal life to all that Christ has brought with Him to His Father. Sin cannot come into the presence of the Holy LORD God. Christ’s blood and Christ’s forgiveness purifies Christians to give them access to God.
Thankfully, the LORD GOD has given Jesus Christ the authority to forgive sin. This power was important to Jesus Christ, and he wanted us to know about it. In fact, every time he healed someone who had palsy, he would remind us that he did so to show that he had the power to forgive sin on earth. One example of many:
Luke 5:17–26 (KJV 1900)
17 And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them. 18 And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him. 19 And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus. 20 And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee. 21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone? 22 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts? 23 Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk? 24 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house. 25 And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. 26 And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day.
There are many beliefs among the faithful concerning this forgiveness. Some believe that since Christ gave his life for us, and loves us so deeply, that he forgives us through that love.
Many believe that the Christ’s shed blood covers all future sin.
Others believe that they must do something to reverse their sinful
condition through penance and giving to the poor, homeless, orphans or tithing more on Sunday.
I reasoned that if it was so important that Christ was given the authority to forgive sin on earth many times in Scripture, then it was of critical importance. That Christ mentioned over and over that the healing of “palsy” was done to show He had the authority to forgive sins on earth, then surely, when I mess up and sin, I’m going straight to my Lord and fix things through His forgiveness.
I closely examined Psalm 51 that was written by David and considered closely his relationship with the LORD God. When David sinned, he went through many specific steps to let God know that he was sorry, and repented, and was going to do better.
When I find myself in the condition of sin, I approach Jesus Christ as David approached the LORD God. I do these things so I can be spiritually restored once again. Here are the prayer steps I use in asking forgiveness be granted by my Lord Jesus Christ.
1. Have true remorse for my sin with a broken spirit and contrite heart
2. Make acknowledgement of my sin
3. Request for mercy from Jesus based on his loving kindness
4. Request for cleansing from the dirtiness of my sin
5. Acknowledge my deliberate rebellion as a cause of my sin
6. Acknowledge that the temptation to sin is always present
7. State the facts of my sin truthfully, without blaming other things
8. Know I cannot be righteous on my own, but require Jesus Christ to be holy
9. Be truthful and stable in thought process, and present my sin rationally
10. Have faith Jesus and Holy Spirit can wash me of sin, and restore holiness
11. Request the joy and gladness in my soul to be restored
12. Request Jesus forget my sin, and bring it no more to his mind
13. Request Jesus and Holy Spirit give me a clean heart and renewed right spirit
14. Request Jesus allow his and the Holy Spirit’s presence to remain with me
15. Request Jesus restore my joy of his deliverance
16. Request Jesus and Holy Spirit be generous with presence to protect from sin
17. Promise to teach other Christians, the ways of Jesus for spiritual restoration
18. Request Jesus deliver me from blood guiltiness to escape sin that is not mine
Once I am forgiven, I completely remove my concentration from the horrible sin that I was forgiven for. What is the use of forgiveness if you are constantly thinking on it?
David was loved greatly by the LORD God, and favored among all, yet when he sinned, it pained him so greatly, that he shared that pain, repentance, and commitment to the LORD God in Psalm 51.
I love Jesus Christ and the LORD God that much too, and also feel deep shame and pain when I sin. I approach Jesus Christ in the same manner David approached the LORD God, and believe with all my heart that this method of repentance pleases Him greatly, and allows for my spiritual restoration to be accomplished through His grace and touch.
