Why do Christians ask for forgiveness?

[strivingforsainthood]

I have a friend whom belongs to an Independent Baptist Church and I was discussing with him the Catholic stance on the forgiveness of sins and the sacrament of Reconciliation.

It was hard to help him understand these things because his Church believes that since Jesus died on the cross, they don’t need to ask for forgiveness of their sins.

Of course, this boggled me as it did another Christian whom was involved within the conversation because I feel like it’s a crucial thing in the life of a Christian in general to feel sorry for your sins, to ask for forgiveness and to repent.

He does not believe that we should feel guilt because the sacrifice was already made. That forgiveness already happened.

As a Catholic, how do I go about responding to this???

 

[halogirl]

They still believe that you have to repent of your sins to become a Christian.

 

[TheLittleLady]

Your friend likely believes in the heresy of “eternal security” and “once saved, always saved”.

Catholic Answers has good tracts explaining these false teachings.

 

[poche]

It stands to reason that if you are not sorry then your sins are not forgiven. Such an attitude could send one to Hell.

 

[po18guy]

2 Corinathians 5:20. Existing Christians had the need to be reconciled with God. This is immediately after…
2 Corinthians 2:10 in which Saint Paul forgave sins in the person of Christ. (modern bibles have changed this to “in the presence of Christ” but I find that inaccurate and nonsensical.
James 5:16 “Therefore, confess your sins to one another”
1 John 5:16-17 New International Version (NIV) < their own bible! (Parentheses mine)
If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death (venial), you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death (mortal). I am not saying that you should pray about that. All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death.

Am guessing that they either are unfamiliar with these, i.e. pastor never preaches on them, they gloss over them or simply re-define them.

Sad.