He doesn’t forgive us because we promise never to sin again. In all probability, we will sin again, and God knows it even if we won’t admit it to ourselves. He doesn’t forgive us because we go to church or give money to worthy causes. Our works, as noble as they may be, have nothing to do with our salvation. We see this clearly in Ephesians 2:8–9: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” He doesn’t