The previous post encouraged a more Biblically founded expression before God in terms of our offenses. Should we ask God to forgive us each time we sin? Certainly the Lord's Prayer (perhaps in light of the High Priestly Prayer in John 17, a better term here would be the "model prayer") indicates that we indeed should ask God to forgive us as we forgive others.
So how could I possibly suggest that confession as opposed to asking for forgiveness is more Scripturally sound? There are a couple of reasons I would say this is so. First of all, let me suggest a reason that this is not so. It is not so because the model prayer preceded the cross and therefore, though at the time it was appropriate to ask for forgiveness because Jesus had not paid the penalty for sins, that time has now passed. While it is true Jesus said this before the cross, it is also true that God's Word will never pass away. What Jesus says stands forever and is as true today as when it was first uttered. Here are two reasons that confession rather than forgiveness should secure our expressions to God.
1. A basic tenet in Biblical interpretation is that we must always interpret the unclear in light of the clear. What is clear is that when Jesus went to the cross, He paid our debt in full, canceling our sin and it's devastating effects upon our spirit and soul. This must be paramount for the believer. We must not think that Jesus' sacrifice was similar to the Jewish sacrificial system where atonement must be made over and over in order to maintain right standing before God. If anyone is in Christ...the old has passed away, the new has come.
2. Telling (not asking) God to forgive us is not the only thing in the model prayer that raises our eyebrows upon closer examination. We are also to tell God not to lead us into temptation. But how would God do that? James is clear that God does not tempt anyone (1:13). How then should we tell Him not to do something we know He does not do? Herein lies the beautiful mystery of prayer that gives us a clue as to how we are to pray. It is because God does these eternal things - He is in heaven; He is holy; His kingdom comes and His will is done on earth and in heaven; He gives us our daily bread; He forgives as we forgive others; He does not lead into temptation. These truths do not ever change and we must acknowledge and express them as just that - Truth.
So let us certainly shout the model prayer as a glorious expression that God's Truth stands forever. But let us also always...always approach the throne of grace...the throne of God with a grateful confessing heart. Our sins ARE forgiven!