Protestants, how are you certain your sins are forgiven?

[JMJ_coder]

Hello,

**Hi Manny

If you have sin against God, what is wrong for you to confess to him directly? Example violate the commandment?? If you sin against others you confess your sin to them and seek for forgiveness. If you sin against your church, then confess to the pastor…etc…etc…

The heart to repent is the key elements of confession, although Catholics does have the sacrament of confession, but let alone not anyone have a repent heart even if they confess to a priest, and yet they believes that their sins have being forgiven. The priest will help to absorb the sin and pray for you, but the final forgiveness still comes from God, God forgiveness comes from he examine your heart of repent. Nobody can fool God…let alone no matter how a human can never be perfecture and don’t sin, yet God is so gracious and merciful that he will always forgiven you and wanted to help you to become a better person to aleast sin lesser, that is why we need Holy Spirit’s help. **

There is nothing wrong with confessing to God. That is what Catholics do all the time. But without the priest, for a grave sin to be forgiven, one must have perfect contrition. This means that you are sorry for having committed the sin only and entirely because you love God and for having offended Him. That is very hard for mankind to muster up. Usually we have imperfect contrition. We are sorry for our sins not because we love God and have offended Him (though this may make up part of your sorrow) but because we are afraid of going to hell. In the Sacrament of Confession imperfect contrition suffices for the forgiveness of sins. And when we go to Confession, we should have perfect contrition - we should be sorry for our sins because we love God and have offended Him. But if you can’t muster up love of God, fear of hell isn’t a bad place to begin (thank you Father Corapi ).

Now, I ask you - how do you know your sins are forgiven? How do you know your motives are pure - that you are perfectly contrite and not just afraid of the punishment of God? God doesn’t send down little slips of paper or voice-overs saying that your sins are forgiven. How do you know you are not deluding yourself into thinking that you are truly repentant? How do you know that Satan isn’t deceiving you into thinking your sins have been forgiven? Feelings come and go, and can be all too easily manipulated - so they are no sure indicator of anything concrete.

On the other hand, Catholics know 100% for a fact that when the priests absolves you from your sins you are absolutely forgiven (unless you intentionally place an obstacle in the way, like lying in the confessional). We are also follow God’s explicit commands to confess our sins to a priest (the Scripture quotes have already been given as far as I can see, but if you want let me know and I will provide them for you again).

 

[Publisher]

Here’s one for you…I really don’t need to be assured my sins are forgiven…I have placed myself in His hands…I will trust in Him…He alone see my heart and knows my desire. I don’t have to answer your question to your satisfaction…only you can accept that…but I trust in the One who told us it was the publican who knew he was a sinner and wouldn’t even raise his eyes…“God be merciful to me, a sinner.”…it was he who left justified…so…I know Whom I trust in…I trust His judgement…I will accept from His hands what He deems right.

 

[Mannyfit75]

I’ll go even much deeper on this subject.

Do you examine yourself as well before confess. When I say examine your conscience by reflecting on the Ten Commandments? I mean a thorough examination of oneself…

 

[JMJ_coder]

This is where we differ…my tradition claims “to live in that virtue of life which the apostles lived”…I know experientially…I don’t beleive in “apostolic sucession”…so it really has no meaning for me

This is going right over my head. You think we should live with the Apostles now but there is no Apostolic Succession? Am I close to what you are saying? Could you perhaps clarify this for me?

…for all I know they could be carrying on a secret love affair outside the confessional…

And the righteous of the minister doesn’t bear at all on the efficasiousness of the Sacrament. This was an old heresy call Donatism which stated that the Sacraments were better for you when the minister was more holy. But this is false. The Sacraments operate in virtue of themselves. You aren’t forgiven because the priest on his own accord says so, you are forgiven because Christ says so through the priest. It is ultimately Christ who forgives.

 

[Mannyfit75]

Here’s one for you…I really don’t need to be assured my sins are forgiven…I have placed myself in His hands…I will trust in Him…He alone see my heart and knows my desire. I don’t have to answer your question to your satisfaction…only you can accept that…but I trust in the One who told us it was the publican who knew he was a sinner and wouldn’t even raise his eyes…“God be merciful to me, a sinner.”…it was he who left justified…so…I know Whom I trust in…I trust His judgement…I will accept from His hands what He deems right.

I cannot judge myself what condition your soul is in, I leave that to God. I had hope to at least get a general answer that from a Protestant saying, “I am assured that the Father of Mercy has forgiven me since it is the Power of the Holy Spirit that sins are forgiven.”

 

[CherryBomb]

Here’s one for you…I really don’t need to be assured my sins are forgiven…I have placed myself in His hands…I will trust in Him…He alone see my heart and knows my desire. I don’t have to answer your question to your satisfaction…only you can accept that…but I trust in the One who told us it was the publican who knew he was a sinner and wouldn’t even raise his eyes…“God be merciful to me, a sinner.”…it was he who left justified…so…I know Whom I trust in…I trust His judgement…I will accept from His hands what He deems right.

But if you trust Him, why don’t you confess in the way that Jesus told us to? I’m not saying you have to go to a Catholic priest to do it, but I don’t get why some Protestants don’t confess to anyone (besides God, which is important, of course). If the Scripture above wasn’t telling us to confess to someone here as well as to God, what do you think Jesus was trying to impart?

 

[Mannyfit75]

But if you trust Him, why don’t you confess in the way that Jesus told us to? I’m not saying you have to go to a Catholic priest to do it, but I don’t get why some Protestants don’t confess to anyone (besides God, which is important, of course). If the Scripture above wasn’t telling us to confess to someone here as well as to God, what do you think Jesus was trying to impart?

That is the point I am trying to make. If you love Jesus and he commanded his Apostles the gift to forgive and retain sins? Where did that gift from God go when they died?? I see that the teachings of Jesus Christ concerning Confession is missing in Protestantism.

 

[JMJ_coder]

Hello,

but I don’t get why some Protestants don’t confess to anyone (besides God, which is important, of course).

I think the reason is as simple as human nature. We don’t want others to know our shame. It is easy to say “I’m a sinner” and “God forgives me” and knowing that no one will discover your demons. But it is very very difficult to go to someone and tell them your innermost faults and failings.

 

[CherryBomb]

Hello,

I think the reason is as simple as human nature. We don’t want others to know our shame. It is easy to say “I’m a sinner” and “God forgives me” and knowing that no one will discover your demons. But it is very very difficult to go to someone and tell them your innermost faults and failings.

This is very true. And exactly why I think Jesus was so wise when he instituted Confession!

 

[Publisher]

But if you trust Him, why don’t you confess in the way that Jesus told us to? I’m not saying you have to go to a Catholic priest to do it, but I don’t get why some Protestants don’t confess to anyone (besides God, which is important, of course). If the Scripture above wasn’t telling us to confess to someone here as well as to God, what do you think Jesus was trying to impart?

You’re assuming we don’t…James speaks of confessing our faults one to another…Friends have…“Meetings for Clearness”…and “Meetings for Disipliine”…we work together…one of our understandings of God is He still speaks to His people…He is present among us in our worship…we do not subscribe to “sola scriptura”…

We believe in freedom of conscience…we believe the Light will guide sincere seeking hearts…God is a Lover…not a taskmaster.

 

[Publisher]

This is going right over my head. You think we should live with the Apostles now but there is no Apostolic Succession? Am I close to what you are saying? Could you perhaps clarify this for me?

And the righteous of the minister doesn’t bear at all on the efficasiousness of the Sacrament. This was an old heresy call Donatism which stated that the Sacraments were better for you when the minister was more holy. But this is false. The Sacraments operate in virtue of themselves. You aren’t forgiven because the priest on his own accord says so, you are forgiven because Christ says so through the priest. It is ultimately Christ who forgives.

Friends are very “sacramentally” oriented…life itself is a sacremnt…everything we do has sacramental value…not just rites and rituals…we don’t rely on the Apostles to “pass on” what they experienced…we live in the same virtue of life and experience the same relationship they did with the Holy One…we share in the same Light…the same Spirit…we share the same Life…I don’t rely on them, but rely on the same One they did.

Your faith holds much beauty and reverence for you…through it you experience the Holy and the Light leads you in His ways…I confess the same Lord you do…and while you may not believe it…I am a member of the same Body…the same church…a new people…called from among the nations…how you frame your faith is important to you…how I frame mine is no less important…I will join you in His Presence where all contentions cease one day…but for now…we will simply disagree on how this One True Faith is lived out…I will follow Him as He has Called me to do so…you must do the same.

 

[CherryBomb]

You’re assuming we don’t…James speaks of confessing our faults one to another…Friends have…“Meetings for Clearness”…and “Meetings for Disipliine”…we work together…one of our understandings of God is He still speaks to His people…He is present among us in our worship…we do not subscribe to “sola scriptura”…

We believe in freedom of conscience…we believe the Light will guide sincere seeking hearts…God is a Lover…not a taskmaster.

Well, I assumed that because that’s kind of what the thread is about, and when you said

having someone who claims to stand in the stead of Christ tell me my sins are forgiven means nothing to me…for all I know they could be carrying on a secret love affair outside the confessional…so for a man to tell me that I can know my sins are forgiven because he’s telling me so, would take a much greater act of faith on my part than to simply be willing to place myself in the Hands of the One I do trust.

That seemed like what you were saying.

I’m still confused on your views on apostolic succession. They didn’t pass anything on to you, but you live in the same light that they did? That seems to be a contradiction.

 

[happygal]

Hello,

There is nothing wrong with confessing to God. That is what Catholics do all the time. But without the priest, for a grave sin to be forgiven, one must have perfect contrition. This means that you are sorry for having committed the sin only and entirely because you love God and for having offended Him. That is very hard for mankind to muster up. Usually we have imperfect contrition. We are sorry for our sins not because we love God and have offended Him (though this may make up part of your sorrow) but because we are afraid of going to hell. In the Sacrament of Confession imperfect contrition suffices for the forgiveness of sins. And when we go to Confession, we should have perfect contrition - we should be sorry for our sins because we love God and have offended Him. But if you can’t muster up love of God, fear of hell isn’t a bad place to begin (thank you Father Corapi ).

**Isn’t you have answer the protestant part for us!! Catholic also believe that God will forgive your sins!! Becoz of faith and we believe in him. **

Now, I ask you - how do you know your sins are forgiven? How do you know your motives are pure - that you are perfectly contrite and not just afraid of the punishment of God? God doesn’t send down little slips of paper or voice-overs saying that your sins are forgiven. How do you know you are not deluding yourself into thinking that you are truly repentant? How do you know that Satan isn’t deceiving you into thinking your sins have been forgiven? Feelings come and go, and can be all too easily manipulated - so they are no sure indicator of anything concrete.

**Whoever goes to God for confession will themselve know if they seriously have a heart for repentance. We can only fool ourselve but not God. We are spiritual being, we know how our heart and mind very well apart from God.
Without a heart to repent, our sins shall never be forgiven despite our confession to God. So for those who does not even examine their heart closely and don’t even feel a sense of remote about their wrong doing, then certianly there isn’t even a room of repent. Why i say that becoz i am one of them. Although i confess my sin to God, but deep down inside me i do not even have a heart to repent and don’t feel a sense of remorse ,so despite my numerous confession of my sin, mine is still not cleanse. This is also the reason why i did not go for my water baptism becoz i know i am not ready and still struggling with so many many wrong doing which i unable to overcome. **

On the other hand, Catholics know 100% for a fact that when the priests absolves you from your sins you are absolutely forgiven (unless you intentionally place an obstacle in the way, like lying in the confessional). We are also follow God’s explicit commands to confess our sins to a priest (the Scripture quotes have already been given as far as I can see, but if you want let me know and I will provide them for you again).

Priest will absolves you from your sins, but without feeling even a sense of remorse repent, it is as good as nothing. We can simply go and confess all our sins out without much thought (some pple are very gd at acting) but does our heart really in a stage of guilt/remorse for our wrong doing?? Only you and God will know. Do you think by confessing to a Priest without a repent heart, your sin shall be absolves?? To me is a 100% no.
The Priest can’t see through your mind and heart, but he just believe you are in a stage of repent.
The sacrament of confession cannot be taken on a lightly manner and i never deny the confessing to a Priest is not necessary

 

[DB_AND_ALI]

This is very true. And exactly why I think Jesus was so wise when he instituted Confession!

I could not agree with you more…Jesus ’ touched all the bases’ for us…His love is so great that He knew how weak we are…especially about confessing the bits that make us blush…:blushing: :blushing: :blushing:

 

[allischalmers]

I John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He (God) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanes us from ALL unrightousness.

God said it and I believe it and thats good enoght for me.

 

[ALLFORHIM]

To my Protestant Brothers and Sisters,

How are you certain that your sins are forgiven or loose? This question applies to Protestant Churches that have no Sacrament of Reconciliation or Confession.

I know Catholics and Orthodox Christians are assured forgiveness when the priest act in the Persona Christi “Person of Christ” absolves and remove all your sins.

If a Protestant pray to God, how do they know their sins are loose?

I don’t see how this would fullfil Jesus Christ commandment.

In John 20:21–23, Jesus says, “As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” Then he breathed on them, saying, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

Yes I am aware of the universal priesthood but in John 20:21-23, Jesus addressed his 11 Apostles only, in later granted this gift to forgive sins to the Apostle of the Gentile, Paul, former Pharisee, and enemy of Christ’s Church.

I want to try to understand this from a Protestant. Is their sin covered or remove? If it is covered, then their sins are not really gone.

So then I ask, how are you certain that your sins are forgiven, if you fall into sin?

Hi,
For me this is how I am certain:
1 John 1: 5-- 2:2
Walking in the light
5This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all[a] sin.
8If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.

1 John 2
1My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for** the sins of the whole world.



Also Psalm 103 and Psalm 130 There is so much throughout the whole bible I just cant list them all.**

 

[Publisher]

Well, I assumed that because that’s kind of what the thread is about, and when you said

That seemed like what you were saying.

I’m still confused on your views on apostolic succession. They didn’t pass anything on to you, but you live in the same light that they did? That seems to be a contradiction.

God is doing the same work in us as He did in His Apostles…we are resurrection people.

I don’t know I can ever explain “living in that virtue of power” that the apostles lived in adequatly enough as you view apostolic succession as linear…I don’t…I share in the same power and virtue because the same Light and Spirit dwells withing me…we share the same Real Presence of the Living Christ in our lives…“Christ is among His people to teach His people Himself”…another Quaker statement.

 

[JMJ_coder]

Hello,

Publisher - this is the second time you used Friends in a way that makes me wonder. Is that the name of your denomination, your church, or a really bad use of English grammar? If it is the name of your denomination, then what differentiates it in its beliefs than the other thousand some Protestant denominations?

 

[JMJ_coder]

Hello,

…and while you may not believe it…I am a member of the same Body…the same church…

Well, if you were baptized with water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, then yes you are a member of the one mystical Body of Christ, which is the Church.

 

[JMJ_coder]

Hello,

I John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He (God) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanes us from ALL unrightousness.

God said it and I believe it and thats good enoght for me.

Yes, He says confess - that means Confession. Let me ask you this - if we gain forgiveness from God alone and not through the ministry of His priests, then why confess since He already knows your heart and thoughts and deeds?