Forgiveness
I have been studying the Epistles of John recently, and would love to hear opinions of friends on 1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins". Now clearly this is written to Christians (Ch. 2:12-14, 3:1 etc., so we are talking about sins committed after we have become Believers.
Now, in the prayer the Lord taught us we pray "Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us". We are taught that if we do not forgive then we cannot expect forgiveness ourselves.
Does God then require confession before forgiveness, but expect us to forgive without confession?
I have come to the conclusion that God expects us always to be willing to forgive, but forgiveness is a two way thing that is given and then RECEIVED. Therefore we cannot expect forgiveness if we are not ready to ask for it if we have offended someone else.
I would love to hear other people's thoughts on this.
I have been studying the Epistles of John recently, and would love to hear opinions of friends on 1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins". Now clearly this is written to Christians (Ch. 2:12-14, 3:1 etc., so we are talking about sins committed after we have become Believers.
Now, in the prayer the Lord taught us we pray "Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us". We are taught that if we do not forgive then we cannot expect forgiveness ourselves.
Does God then require confession before forgiveness, but expect us to forgive without confession?
I have come to the conclusion that God expects us always to be willing to forgive, but forgiveness is a two way thing that is given and then RECEIVED. Therefore we cannot expect forgiveness if we are not ready to ask for it if we have offended someone else.
I would love to hear other people's thoughts on this.