When we do mess up, we need to confess our sin to God – that just means that we repent (which means agreeing with God that what we did was wrong) and ask forgiveness.

1 John 1.9 says, “If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

It is true that God has already forgiven us, but by confessing specific sins after we have received Christ, we restore the relationship that has been broken by our sin. Because we are already forgiven, we don’t need to worry about “making up for it” when we sin...all God wants is the restored relationship. Our sin may still have earthly consequences -- a murderer still has to do time in prison, for instance -- but before God you have a clean slate!

NEXT: Our Confidence: How to Know if We're Saved