How do you know your sins are forgiven? working4christ catholic answers forum

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#1   Jun 19, '13, 7:39 pm

SAVINGRACE Junior Member   Join Date: March 18, 2013 Posts: 387 Religion: CATHOLIC

How do you know your sins are forgiven? For Catholics, EO and some Anglicans we Confess, Receive Absolution and do Penance. How do the other Christians know that their sins especially the Mortal Sins are forgiven when they confess directly to God? Are you given a sign? Is it a feeling? Just curious.

#2   Jun 19, '13, 7:57 pm

Packerland Trial Membership   Join Date: June 1, 2013 Posts: 10 Religion: Confessional Lutheran

Re: How do you know your sins are forgiven? Quote: Originally Posted by SAVINGRACE For Catholics, EO and some Anglicans we Confess, Receive Absolution and do Penance. How do the other Christians know that their sins especially the Mortal Sins are forgiven when they confess directly to God? Are you given a sign? Is it a feeling? Just curious. For us, it is that we know we are baptized, that we receive forgiveness in the Sacrament of the Altar and yes, absolution, too.

#3   Jun 19, '13, 8:18 pm

EvangelCatholic Junior Member   Join Date: April 16, 2013 Posts: 717 Religion: Lutheran

Re: How do you know your sins are forgiven? Point of clarification: Lutherans believe in the Sacrament of Holy Absolution, that what the priest declares is, in-fact, God's forgiveness.

#4   Jun 19, '13, 8:30 pm

SteveVH Regular Member   Join Date: March 18, 2009 Posts: 5,025 Religion: Catholic

Re: How do you know your sins are forgiven? Quote: Originally Posted by EvangelCatholic Point of clarification: Lutherans believe in the Sacrament of Holy Absolution, that what the priest declares is, in-fact, God's forgiveness. Do you distinguish between venial and mortal sin? We believe that all venial sin is washed away by the Eucharist, although we are still obligated to confess it if it comes to mind during our examination of conscience. If we are in mortal sin, however, we would be committing another mortal sin by receiving Christ in the Eucharist before receiving absolution. I was aware that Lutherans do believe in absolution of sins through the sacrament of Reconciliation (although I don't think you call it that), although my understanding is that it is not practiced frequently and then only in certain parishes. Can you clarify this? Thanks. __________________ "Let the time come when those who should oblige the servant of God, do the contrary to him, and what degree of patience and humility he has then, that is the degree he has and no more." - St. Francis of Assisi

#5   Jun 19, '13, 8:39 pm

KendraDZ1902 Regular Member   Join Date: October 19, 2012 Posts: 1,101 Religion: Catholic

Re: How do you know your sins are forgiven? Quote: Originally Posted by SAVINGRACE For Catholics, EO and some Anglicans we Confess, Receive Absolution and do Penance. How do the other Christians know that their sins especially the Mortal Sins are forgiven when they confess directly to God? Are you given a sign? Is it a feeling? Just curious. I grew up protestant and I would ask for forgiveness for the same sin over and over. I never knew if He forgave me or not, so I would keep asking. In January I had my first confession. WOW is all I have to say. The priest who did it was wonderful. He helped me out a lot. He answered questions and explained things when I didn't fully understand. Afterwards I felt...lighter. Like a weight had been lifted that I didn't even realize I had. I honestly feel sorry for those who don't go or don't believe it is needed.

#6   Jun 19, '13, 8:49 pm

ltwin Regular Member   Join Date: November 9, 2009 Posts: 2,052 Religion: Pentecostal

Re: How do you know your sins are forgiven? Quote: Originally Posted by SAVINGRACE How do the other Christians know that their sins especially the Mortal Sins are forgiven when they confess directly to God? Pentecostals don't have a concept of mortal/venial sins. Quote: Originally Posted by SAVINGRACE Are you given a sign? Is it a feeling? We know by the word of God: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). It is not a feeling, and we have no need of a sign. We simply have faith in God's promise. __________________ Oh that rugged cross My salvation Where Your love poured out over me Now my soul cries out Hallelujah Praise and honour unto Thee

#7   Jun 19, '13, 8:59 pm

EvangelCatholic Junior Member   Join Date: April 16, 2013 Posts: 717 Religion: Lutheran

Re: How do you know your sins are forgiven? Quote: Originally Posted by SteveVH Do you distinguish between venial and mortal sin? We believe that all venial sin is washed away by the Eucharist, although we are still obligated to confess it if it comes to mind during our examination of conscience. If we are in mortal sin, however, we would be committing another mortal sin by receiving Christ in the Eucharist before receiving absolution. I was aware that Lutherans do believe in absolution of sins through the sacrament of Reconciliation (although I don't think you call it that), although my understanding is that it is not practiced frequently and then only in certain parishes. Can you clarify this? Thanks. I am not as theologically astute as many others on this forum but my understanding is that Lutherans refer to sins as grave [mortal] when one turns away from God in full knowledge of the evil of the act, and full consent of the will. Venial sin is the failure to observe necessary moderation, in lesser matters of moral law, or in grave matters acting without full knowledge or complete consent. I believe we would agree that knowingly taking holy communion after a mortal sin is another mortal sin. In private confession, the pastor counsels the penitent but a full remission of mortal sin must include an act of contrition or penance such as turning oneself into civil authority. I need help from others on this aspect of absolution. Regarding private confession or what Lutherans call Holy Absolution, it is not practiced enough or emphasized enough in my opinion. People don't want to come to confession if it means another trip to church. Many feel that corporate confession in Mass is enough. Personally, I didn't make my first confession until the Easter before I was confirmed at age 13 and that was essentially required of all catechumens.

#8   Jun 19, '13, 8:59 pm

SteveVH Regular Member   Join Date: March 18, 2009 Posts: 5,025 Religion: Catholic

Re: How do you know your sins are forgiven? Quote: Originally Posted by ltwin Pentecostals don't have a concept of mortal/venial sins. We know by the word of God: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). It is not a feeling, and we have no need of a sign. We simply have faith in God's promise. Itwin, I was just curious as to your interpretation of John 20:23. "Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained." Remember, Jesus had already said these words and given this authority to the Apostles before 1 John 1:9 was written. The verse you quoted must be read within the context of those astounding words of Jesus. And one must ask why Jesus gave such incredible authority to his Church if it was not to be put into practice? Thanks. __________________ "Let the time come when those who should oblige the servant of God, do the contrary to him, and what degree of patience and humility he has then, that is the degree he has and no more." - St. Francis of Assisi

#9   Jun 19, '13, 9:09 pm

SteveVH Regular Member   Join Date: March 18, 2009 Posts: 5,025 Religion: Catholic

Re: How do you know your sins are forgiven? Quote: Originally Posted by EvangelCatholic I am not as theologically astute as many others on this forum but my understanding is that Lutherans refer to sins as grave [mortal] when one turns away from God in full knowledge of the evil of the act, and full consent of the will. Venial sin is the failure to observe necessary moderation, in lesser matters of moral law, or in grave matters acting without full knowledge or complete consent. I believe we would agree that knowingly taking holy communion after a mortal sin is another mortal sin. In private confession, the pastor counsels the penitent but a full remission of mortal sin must include an act of contrition or penance such as turning oneself into civil authority. I need help from others on this aspect of absolution. Regarding private confession or what Lutherans call Holy Absolution, it is not practiced enough or emphasized enough in my opinion. People don't want to come to confession if it means another trip to church. Many feel that corporate confession in Mass is enough. Personally, I didn't make my first confession until the Easter before I was confirmed at age 13 and that was essentially required of all catechumens. Yes, we must make an act of contrition and do penance with each confession. Both of those are a necessary part of the sacrament. Anyway, thanks for the information. You might suggest that confessions be held 1/2 hour before your services so people don't have to come to church twice. That's the way we do it and it seems to work well. God bless. __________________ "Let the time come when those who should oblige the servant of God, do the contrary to him, and what degree of patience and humility he has then, that is the degree he has and no more." - St. Francis of Assisi

#10   Jun 19, '13, 9:23 pm

EvangelCatholic Junior Member   Join Date: April 16, 2013 Posts: 717 Religion: Lutheran

Re: How do you know your sins are forgiven? Quote: Originally Posted by SteveVH Yes, we must make an act of contrition and do penance with each confession. Both of those are a necessary part of the sacrament. Anyway, thanks for the information. You might suggest that confessions be held 1/2 hour before your services so people don't have to come to church twice. That's the way we do it and it seems to work well.God bless. Actually, that is the norm in parishes that promote private confessions though some still do confessions on Saturday. Lutherans have fallen away from holy absolution because the clergy don't emphasize it enough in my opinion. I noticed that the Missouri Synod is urging pastors to go to private confession themselves as a way to restore the sacrament. I guess if there is no other Lutheran pastor nearby that the Lutheran priest would have to seek a confessor in Episcopal or Roman Catholic churches.

#11   Jun 19, '13, 9:34 pm

ltwin Regular Member   Join Date: November 9, 2009 Posts: 2,052 Religion: Pentecostal

Re: How do you know your sins are forgiven? Quote: Originally Posted by SteveVH Itwin, I was just curious as to your interpretation of John 20:23. "Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained." Remember, Jesus had already said these words and given this authority to the Apostles before 1 John 1:9 was written. The verse you quoted must be read within the context of those astounding words of Jesus. And one must ask why Jesus gave such incredible authority to his Church if it was not to be put into practice. Thanks. John 20:23 (and Matthew 18:18) Pentecostals understand as referring to church discipline. Christ has given his disciples on earth discernment and authority through the Holy Spirit to retain the sins of sinners in the church, to pronounce in the name and by the authority of the Lord that they are unforgiven, unpardoned, or even to be punished. Likewise, there is authority to discern when there is true repentance and in the name of the Lord to declare such are forgiven of all their sins. Any church acting properly in the Spirit may remit or retain sins. For " if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven." An offending brother or sister who will not listen to the church is to be regarded as a "Gentile and a tax collector." Church discipline is not only to be honored by the church congregation but is honored in heaven because discipline is a divinely endorsed function of the church. Paul also talks about this in 1 Corinthians 5. __________________ Oh that rugged cross My salvation Where Your love poured out over me Now my soul cries out Hallelujah Praise and honour unto Thee

#12   Jun 19, '13, 10:05 pm

MaryT777 Regular Member   Join Date: November 23, 2012 Posts: 3,107 Religion: Catholic

Re: How do you know your sins are forgiven? Great ?.

#13   Jun 19, '13, 10:08 pm

ComeHome2Rome Regular Member   Join Date: November 23, 2010 Posts: 716

Re: How do you know your sins are forgiven? Quote: Originally Posted by ltwin Pentecostals don't have a concept of mortal/venial sins. Greetings, I am curious about your comment and how Pentecostals relate that with 1 John 5:16-17 "If you see your brother or sister committing what is not a mortal sin, you will ask, and God will give life to such a one - to those whose sin is not mortal. There is sin that is mortal; I do not say that you should pray about that. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is a sin that is not mortal." Thanks

#14   Jun 19, '13, 10:32 pm

The GreyPilgrim Regular Member   Join Date: January 18, 2008 Posts: 747 Religion: Catholic

Re: How do you know your sins are forgiven? Quote: Originally Posted by ltwin John 20:23 (and Matthew 18:18) Pentecostals understand as referring to church discipline. Christ has given his disciples on earth discernment and authority through the Holy Spirit to retain the sins of sinners in the church, to pronounce in the name and by the authority of the Lord that they are unforgiven, unpardoned, or even to be punished. Likewise, there is authority to discern when there is true repentance and in the name of the Lord to declare such are forgiven of all their sins. How do you make this distinction when in the context Jesus wasn't speaking to His disciples as a whole but only to those twelve who were to be His Apostles and ministers of His authority? Quote: Originally Posted by ltwin Any church acting properly in the Spirit may remit or retain sins. For " if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven." An offending brother or sister who will not listen to the church is to be regarded as a "Gentile and a tax collector." Church discipline is not only to be honored by the church congregation but is honored in heaven because discipline is a divinely endorsed function of the church. Paul also talks about this in 1 Corinthians 5. Does this include the pastors or deacons? __________________ DCF forums "He can no longer have God for his Father, who has not the Church for his mother." Cyprian of Carthage, On the Unity of the Church, chpt 6.

#15   Jun 19, '13, 10:56 pm

ltwin Regular Member   Join Date: November 9, 2009 Posts: 2,052 Religion: Pentecostal

Re: How do you know your sins are forgiven? Quote: Originally Posted by ComeHome2Rome Greetings, I am curious about your comment and how Pentecostals relate that with 1 John 5:16-17 "If you see your brother or sister committing what is not a mortal sin, you will ask, and God will give life to such a one - to those whose sin is not mortal. There is sin that is mortal; I do not say that you should pray about that. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is a sin that is not mortal." Thanks I'd have to do some research to find what actual Pentecostals have written about this verse specifically. If I had to guess, I'd say that this passage is not about any specific kind of sin. It is more about the degree to which a person is persisting in sin. In verse 18 he says, "We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him." There is sin that for the believer leads to spiritual death, a point of no return that not even the prayers of believers can pray through. Pentecostals do recognize distinctions between sin, degrees of guilt, and differences in temporal and spiritual consequences: sins of nature/sins of personal transgression; sins of ignorance/sins of knowledge; sins of infirmity/sins of presumption. In everyday speech, however, we do not usually speak of "sins that lead to death" and "sins that do not lead to death." __________________ Oh that rugged cross My salvation Where Your love poured out over me Now my soul cries out Hallelujah