forgiveness

Do we ask forgiveness because we have sinned or because we are sinners? The word forgiveness means to cease to blame someone or something; to grant pardon for a mistake; to free someone from a penalty; or to free from the obligation of dept. 1 john 1:9 says if we confess our sins he is faithfull and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. This stands to reason that confession must preceed forgiveness. Some view this concept as" relational "in view of the fact that since we have received a new life and a relationship with God, who is a holy God and man who is still not free from the presence of sin,there is a need to continuously ask for forgiveness even for the unconscious sins one may have committed.As christians, though we sin sometimes we are not classified as sinners(for christians struggle with sin) .No true christian is a sinner.However because we have not been set free from the presence of sin yet , There is a need for us to always ask for forgiveness for our sins even the unconscious ones.