God will forgive when you ask

“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) 

Everyone felt sorry there

Over the years, I’ve gone to local jails and state prisons to share Christ many times. I discovered early on that everyone incarcerated there felt sorry about something—either sorry for what they had done wrong to get them there or just sorry that they had been caught. The ones who felt sorry for what they had done were the ones who responded well to the gospel; they readily admitted their sin, repented, asked God for forgiveness, He forgave them, and their lives were forever transformed! On the other hand, the ones who were just sorry that they had gotten caught usually just blamed others for their problems; they were not repentant; they were not receptive to the gospel; they did not ask God for forgiveness, and their lives remained unchanged. 

There is something powerful about honesty before God!

Not only does honesty with God cause us to come into the light regarding our sin, God, our Father who loves us, wants to forgive us!

“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” (Prov. 28:13)

Therefore

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,” (Eph. 1:7)