Needing Forgiveness Isn't the Real Problem!
It isn't that man needs forgiveness of his sins. It's much worse than that! The problem is that he is DEAD --he lacks spiritual life. Although we inherit physical life from our parents, that's not how we get spiritual life. Jesus explained it when He was talking with Nicodemus; He called it being "born again."
In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." "How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!" Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' (John 3:3-7)
Everyone has been "born of the flesh"; born physically from human parents. That's what being "born of water" describes. The first step in the physical birth process is the bursting of the mother's water sac just before a baby emerges from her womb. Being born of the Spirit occurs when the person accepts Jesus for salvation; they are emersed completely in the Spirit. It is then that he receives spiritual life --not merely forgiveness!
Sin Is Only a Symptom
According to this Romans chapter 5 passage, sin hasn't been the problem facing mankind because sin doesn't count against us unless there is a law to measure it against. But what does matter --and has mattered from the beginning-- is death.
Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned-- for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law. Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come. (Romans 5:12-14)
Death has been passed down through our parents along with the tendency to disobey anyone who sets up a law dictating proper actions and attitudes.
The Single Deadly Sin
Remember, there is one sin that God holds every man accountable for: It's simply for not believing in His Son. Believing in Him means trusting Him for life in the hereafter and also relying on Him for life in the hear-and-now. The world's sin (or guilt) is described in chapter 16 of John and that sin is the only thing standing between God and man. Every other sin was dealt with at the cross!
But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. (John 16:7-11)
Forgiveness was accomplished on the cross --once and for all.
The Question Remains
Now the question is: Will you accept the gift of eternal life that God offers? That question was even presented in the Old Testament.
This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. (Deuteronomy 30:19-20)
That very same decision was presented to Adam and Eve. They were warned about choosing between two trees in the garden of Eden: One was the tree of life; the other was the tree that brought death. Now the decision is presented to you and to me as God continues to ask us to "Choose life through My Son!"