Confession and Repenting, is just an imaginary and convenient ...Get out of 'Hell' card?....any thoughts?

Answer 1

There's more to it than confession and repenting. First you have to name the sin--lying, stealing, gossiping, sexual activity, whatever. Next you have to atone for it if possible--admit the lie to whomever you told it, repay the money or return the object, apologize to whomever you hurt. Repenting is a biggie because that's being sorry for the sin and never committing it again. Once you've done all that you can ask God's forgiveness and get your "Get out of Hell Card" .

Answer 2

We have all sinned, and most of us have comitted mortal sins. If confession and repenting are imaginary, then we are all destined to go to hell. This is a very bleak and cynical stance to take, especially since Christ repeatedly said that he came and died so that our sins can be forgiven. Your suggestion that forgiveness is an illusion indicates that you have never examined the message of Christ closely. I suggest you read the Gospels again and take note of how many times the word "repent" occurs. To repent is to honestly resolve not to sin again - how could such a resolution be in any way imaginary? It is clearly a very good thing to do. As a Catholic I have the opportunity to use the sacrament of Reconciliation. This is a sacrament in which the believer confesses his sins directly to a priest and receives absolution. It's power stems from Christ's granting his apostles the power to forgive sins (again you have to read the Gospels to find out about this). I can say from experience that Reconcilation is one of the most beautiful gifts of the Church.

Answer 3

Confessing and repenting is basically a direct order from Jesus. However, you don't have to confess or repent. If you confess then you are admitting your sin....to repent means, litter ally to turn away from. If you confess your sin you are admitting that you sinned if you repent it means you will change your way and not do it again. Then you have to ask for forgiveness for your sin. This is not a get out of hell free thing. This doesn't keep you out of hell. The only thing that keeps you out of hell is to have Jesus as your Lord and Savior. If you are a Christian and you sin and you don't confess or repent doesn't mean you are going to hell. This just means in the end when judgment comes you will be held accountable for your sins. You will be subjected to what ever discipline God has for you not hell.

Answer 4

Have you never done something wrong? You have to acknowledge that you did wrong ( Confess) and only then can you repent. Without confessing you cannot repent. Try it and feel the difference it makes to your conscience.Even if you are not a Christian.

Answer 5

It's God's grace at work and the only true plan of salvation. Repent of your sins and place your absolute faith and trust in Jesus Christ and the sacrifice He made to pay the price for your sins and you will be saved. God will give you a new heart with new desires so that you will not *want* to sin against Him any more. That's what it is to be "born again."

If you don't feel you can do it sincerely, pray about *that*. God promises that if you seek Him, He *will* be found by you.

Why do people love their sins, which they know in their heart and conscience are wrong, so much? Is a little wordly pleasure worth eternal damnation?

Answer 6

You think when someone repents they are doing it to get out of Hell and not doing it because they feel badly for offending God? The prime aim of repentance is to be upright and pleasing before the LORD. You do things for the LORD not to get yourself out of Hell which is a purely selfish purpose. Christianity is not about acting for yourself.

Answer 7

The ideas of repentance and redemption are not solely the domain of religion. Forgiveness (and seeking forgiveness) are quite deeply a part of the human condition.

Heck, just watch a few episodes of season II of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" if you doubt.

That said, my church has a name for repentance that goes beyond simply being afraid of going to hell. True sorrow for what you've done is called "perfect contrition."

Have you not ever in your life been truly sorry for hurting someone? If you have, that's what it feels like.

If you haven't... well I would truly pity anyone who has never felt this.

Answer 8

No, not without baptism into the family name of Yahweh through the authority of his son Yahshua as directed by spirit holy, and conversion to the keeping of the Laws.

Confession and repenting is done in vain without the conversion to the faith practiced by all of the patriarch, apostles, prophets, and the Messiah.

Gen 17:1 ¶ And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, Yahweh appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I [am] Almighty Yahweh; walk in my ways, and be perfect.

Answer 9

Do you feel the same way about human relationships? When you hurt someone, apologizing and asking for forgiveness serves no purpose other than to avoid an unpleasant situation for yourself? If you have been committing acts destructive to others, turning away from that behavior serves no purpose other than to escape what harm might come to yourself??

Answer 10

You know something, there are people who served God before the Bible was available. If these people could see us with this wealth of wisdom God has produced, they would salivate for a glimpse of just one verse. And yet here we are, so blessed and so vain.