Forgiven Or Not

I read the answer about a Hungarian girl who was confused about some passages and about the difference between conviction and condemnation. Something said in that answer was that God can’t forgive us if we don’t confess. I was told and taught that all our sins are forgiven already at the cross.

Q. I read the answer about a Hungarian girl who was confused about some passages and about the difference between conviction and condemnation. Something said in that answer was that God can’t forgive us if we don’t confess. I was told and taught that all our sins are forgiven already at the cross, but that we should confess them which is to admit our wrong to God so that we can be closer to God. But our sins are forgiven at the cross, everyone of them, so I feel it was wrong to say God can’t forgive us if we don’t confess because he already has. thank you

A. There are two levels of our relationship with the Lord. I call the first one Union. It’s based on the eternal forgiveness for our sins that was purchased at the cross and guarantees our place in Heaven. John 3:16 is a good verse for this.

The second level is called Fellowship. It ’s the way God relates to us now, on Earth. When we’re walking with the Lord and staying free from sin, He blesses us in special ways. But when we sin, this special relationship is interrupted until we confess. As soon as we do we’re forgiven and our special relationship is reinstated. If we don’t confess, we can’t be forgiven. We won’t lose our salvation, but we will miss out on blessings we could otherwise have had. A good verse for this is 1 John 1:9. The parable of the unmerciful servant in Matt 18:23-35 explains this in greater detail.

It’s this second level that I was discussing with the woman from Hungary.