needs to be an acknowledgment of wrongdoing (= confession), and a turning away from their wrongful attitude and action (= repentance) (Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 1 John 1:9). In the Bible, forgiveness is never portrayed as automatic. Christ died for all (2 Cor 5:15), but not everyone is forgiven. Confession and repentance are required. It is clear that when God forgives our sins, he does not “forget” them, for he is omniscient and cannot forget anything. On the contrary, all things—past, present,
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