How do we know that the forgiveness of sins is necessary for salvation?

In the sermon, it is stated that 'no unforgiven sinner gets to heaven,' illustrating the vital role of forgiveness in the Christian faith. This aligns with scriptural teachings such as Matthew 6:14-15, which underscores that forgiveness is critical for receiving God's mercy. In the context of Paul’s commission to preach repentance and forgiveness (Acts 26:20), it is clear that genuine faith involves turning to God and seeking His forgiveness in order to become part of the sanctified community of believers. Therefore, the understanding of our need for forgiveness is fundamental to salvation.