When Catholics sin, we go to Confession. Then, we may receive Absolution from priests ordained in The Church Jesus Founded.
Non-Catholics deal direct. They realize they have sinned, and say: “Please, God, forgive me.” They may or may not specify what they have done wrong when asking for forgiveness.
Catholics have a more formalized Confession. They must put their sins into words and ask for forgiveness. They receive Absolution from a Catholic priest because Christ gave that power to Peter and The Church.
Mt. 16: 18-20 is very clear: “And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose upon earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven.”
The “keys” that Jesus gave to the first leader of The Only Church He founded include the power to forgive sins.
Why would anyone take the risk of not using the keys Jesus provided to get into Heaven?
Every human being on earth is tested by the way they deal with their sins. Some will obey the rules established by The Church Jesus Founded. Others take the risk of obtaining admission into Heaven from one of the 40,000 individual schisms, none of which offer Absolution. Many individuals seek salvation by relying on their own, do-it-yourself theories.
There is a frightening risk in asking forgiveness without following the rules. A person who takes that risk is telling God: “I do not need to pay attention to The Only Church Jesus Founded. I just need God to do what I want. So, forgive me and let me into Heaven.”
God may not respond favorably. The devil certainly will. He tells whomever will listen: “If God really loved you, He’d let you into Heaven no matter what because you are a good person.”
Dealing with our own sins. It’s the most important thing we do. It’s best to gain forgiveness through the channels He established. Can’t do that? You can make it possible. It’s the safest thing to do.
