Are All My Sins Forgiven

This is one of the most important questions we can ask. Our eternal life depends on it. Even one unforgiven sin will take our salvation away. David writes, “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” Ps. 32:1.

God wants to forgive us our sins, but we must first fulfill the conditions for it. We may pray every day to God to forgive us, but if we do not do our part then the sins will remain in the books of heaven and condemn us in the day of judgment.
To be forgiven means to be justified. This is righteousness imputed. The merit of Christ is counted in our favour. We cannot earn forgiveness, it is a free gift of God. yet there is something we must do in order to receive this gift. “His righteousness is imputed only to the obedient.” B.C. 6, p. 1072.

“From Genesis to Revelation the conditions upon which eternal life is promised, are made plain. God requires that those who shall enter heaven shall be without spot or wrinkle or any such thing. Keep My commandments and live, is the requirement of God.” R. H., Sept. 3, 1901.

“There are conditions to our receiving justification… While good works will not save even one soul, yet it is impossible for even one soul to be saved without good works.” S.M. 1, p. 377.

“All will be justified by their faith and judged by their works.” Test. Vol. 4, p. 386.
“The only question asked in the judgment will be, ‘Have they been obedient to My commandments?’” G.W., p. 315.

“From a sense of thorough conviction, you can then testify to men of the immutable character of the law manifested by the death of Christ on the cross, the malignant nature of sin, and the righteousness of God in justifying the believer in Jesus on condition of his future obedience to the statutes of God’s government in heaven and earth.” R.H. April 24, 1888.

Without obedience there is no justification. When we stop sinning then we know that we have been forgiven.
Before God forgives our sins we must first repent and confess all our known sins. Repentance means sorrow for the sins we have committed. When we truly hate sins and wish that we had never done them, then God will accept our repentance. True repentance includes hunger and thirst for righteousness.

“True repentance is more than sorrow for sin. It is resolute turning away from evil.” P.P. 557.
Some leave their repentance later, because for a while yet they want to enjoy the pleasure of sin.
“I was forcibly reminded of death-bed repentance. Some who serve themselves and Satan all their life, as sickness subdues them, and a fearful uncertainty is before them, manifest some sorrow for sin, and their friends make themselves believe they were converted and fitted for heaven. But if they would recover, would they not be as rebellious as ever? I was reminded of Prov. 1:27, 28.” 2 Spiritual Gifts, p. 86.

“Esau thought, if I now sell it (the birthright), I can easily buy it back. He bartered it away for a favourite dish, flattering himself that he could dispose of it at will and buy it back at pleasure. But when he sought to buy it back, even at a great sacrifice on his part, he was not able to do so. He then bitterly repented his rashness, his folly, this madness. He looked the matter over on every side. He sought for repentance carefully and with tears, but it was all in vain. He had despised the blessing, and the Lord removed it from him forever.” Test. Vol. 2, p. 39.

True repentance is only possible by the Holy Spirit. Many people repent for the fear of punishment and not for the genuine sorrow for sin. This kind of repentance will not bring forgiveness to us. When people are in difficulty and in trouble or sickness they need God’s help but because of their sins they think that God cannot answer their prayers, therefore they do repent but this kind of repentance is seldom genuine.

With repentance, confession is also necessary. “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.

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Prov. 18:13.
“We must confess our sins, and humble our hearts before God. He made heartbroken confessions and then stepped up to several of the brethren one after another, and extended his hand, asking forgiveness. Those to whom he spoke sprang to their feet, making confession and asking forgiveness, and they fell upon one another’s necks, weeping. The spirit of confession spread through the entire congregation. It was a Pentecostal season. God’s praises were sung, and far into the night, until nearly morning, the work was carried on… No one seemed to be proud to make heartfelt confession, and those who led in this work were the ones who had influence, but had not before had courage to confess their sins.” Test. Vol. 8, p. 105.

The sins will not grow old and disappear from the books of heaven. They remain until a confession is made. We confess to God and also to the people whom we have sinned against.

With the confession of sins a restitution is necessary. If we have neglected to pay tithes for some time, it is not acceptable to God to ask forgiveness without making a restitution of the back tithes to the church.

“One brother had not paid tithes for two years. He gave his note to the secretary of the conference for the tithe he had withheld and the interest on it, amounting $571.50. Another gave his note for $300.00… Another gave his note for $1000.00.” Test. Vol. 5, p. 643.
Sister White writes that the sin of evil speaking of others is so serious an offense that only by public confession can forgiveness be obtained.
We will never feel true happiness and peace in our hearts until all our sins are forgiven.
When this happens we are then justified and the work of sanctification will begin from that moment on.
Pray to God to bring to your mind the sins that you may have forgotten and confess them without delay and make a restitution to whom it may belong, to God, to another person, or to the government. Not until this is done are you ready to face the judgment of God. May the Lord help us in this.
AMEN

Timo Martin