I used to live under that commitment to make Jesus Lord of my life and I was ding the best I can. Yes, I ask Him for forgiveness, but after receiving it, I show my appreciation by going back to doing the best I can in keeping that commitment.
To ask Him for help to not sin again is to apply faith in Him as my Good Shepherd means never looking to myself in doing the best I can but relying on Him all the time for help in following Him even after forgiveness.
I have heard a Catholic priest explain that these means are stepping stones to help Catholics to the Lord, but I see that they remain stuck there on those stepping stones. There is even a saying for why some go to Mary, and that is "Jesus is mad at me. I go to Mary because Jesus will never say no to Mary."
So I understand the reasoning for stepping stones as sympathy for those fearing to come to Jesus for, but it is a thief because they will never have the confidence to go to Him if they do the stepping stones because that is where they feel safe at in coming to Jesus.
When our believing in Him pleases God....then what does out not believing in Him to forgive us does?
It is a one of the big issues when a Catholic is not assured that God has forgiven him when he had asked for it.
I think the penance was developed to not just show sincerity to God that he wants to repent but as proof towards himself that he is sincere too, because he may feel that sin has dominion over his character to never stop sinning. This is where coming to Jesus is necessary not only for the forgiveness of our sins but to destroy the work of the devil in our lives so that sin has no more dominion over us or threaten to do so again.
1 John 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.....8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:.......11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
2 Timothy 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Jesus has delivered me from my commitment, covenant with my mouth, pledges of givings and all promises to God to rest in Him all the time for the help I need for following Him as He will help me lay aside every weight & sin in living that reconciled relationship with God through Jesus Christ, my ultimate high priest. No other substitute is needed.
The Catholics would know this too when they choose Jesus Christ to be their only & sufficient high priest. Joy comes from Jesus Christ as well as other fruits of the Spirit.
Okay.
