I don't understand how you are arriving at this conclusion based on the EGW quote. You wrote:



The "this" here is EGW's quote. I don't see how you are reasoning from EGW's quote to the conclusion that confession and forgiveness are only required for willful sin.

Now when you say that confession and forgiveness is necessary for unknown sins, who is confessing these sins? When are they forgiven?

Lev 4:27-28
And if any one of the common people sin through ignorance, while he doeth [somewhat against] any of the commandments of the LORD [concerning things] which ought not to be done, and be guilty; Or if his sin, which he hath sinned, come to his knowledge: then he shall bring his offering, a kid of the goats, a female without blemish, for his sin which he hath sinned.

Now when you say that confession and forgiveness is necessary for unknown sins, who is confessing these sins? When are they forgiven?

Of course, the sinner confesses. He does it when he finds out.

This is what I believe. So I'm even more perplexed as to your point and reasoning.

All sins of ignorance have been provided for in God's plan of redemption. In His suffering and death, Jesus has made atonement for all sins of ignorance. This atonement also covers all the effects of sin, such as illness, mental and physical defects, and deterioration leading to death. Neither sins of ignorance nor the effects of sin incur guilt or condemnation, and they do not require repentance, confession, or forgiveness. These responses apply only to sins for which we are guilty. When we become aware of something wrong which previously was done in ignorance, then guilt enters the picture and then such responses become appropriate and necessary. LK

]My point is that AA 561 contradicts the sentiments I underlined above, because it speaks of confession by those who do not knowingly sin.

"Men who have lived the nearest to God, men who would sacrifice life itself rather than knowingly commit a wrong act, men whom God has honored with divine light and power, have confessed the sinfulness of their nature."

"they are so defiled that unless purified by blood, they can never be of value with God."

"passing through the corrupt channels of humanity"

...

Arnold, what does it mean to confess the "sinfulness of their nature"? How is it different than confessing a known sin, or an unknown sin, or a sin of omission, etc? Does God hold us accountable for the clamorings, the strivings for mastery of our sinful flesh nature?

What "defiles" their praise and prayers? Is it possible for a born again believer, who is abiding in Jesus, who is walking in the Spirit and mind of the man, to commit a known sin while praising God, while praying to Him?

What are "the corrupt channels of humanity"? How do they defile the praise and prayers of those who are abiding in Jesus? Dos God count us guilty of sinning because our praise and prayers pass through our corrupt human channels? Does He expect us to repent of our praise and prayers because they are sinful and unacceptable to Him?