ANSWER: John provides the answer in I John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” This confession involves accompanying sorrow and a departure from sin. An example is seen in Acts 8:22 where Peter told an erring Christian, “Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.” Continuing in the faith demands a continual walk in the light (of His Word), “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin” (I John 1:9).