One Must Repent to be Born Again

When Jesus Christ while He was on the cross, asked His Father to "forgive them they know not what they do" it was not a prayer to forgive individuals, it was a prayer to extend forgiveness to the world because of His sacrifice on the cross.

 
When Christ forgave people who were repentant when He walked the earth He said; "your sins are forgiven", but when He prayed to the Father He asked the Father to count His sacrifice as a substitute penalty for all those who would repent and trust in Him.

 
Christ never forgave the thief on the cross who was not sorry, but He did forgive the one who defended Christ. He said; "this day you will be in paradise with me."
No one is forgiven by God who does not repent.

1 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."

Remember: "if we confess" are the key words that so many exclude from this passage.

2 Corinthians 7:10 "For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death."