By-Two Kaapi in an oilfield

Dali conveys it best, in one of his illustrations in Dante's Inferno. One can seek redemption, but is never awarded so. One shall seek it for the rest of his/her life.

Have you wondered: When you sinned, and later resolved that you shall never do it again - it is just you who has awarded redemption to yourself. To the whole world, you are still the sinner.

Once a sinner, always a sinner.

[The painting is an illustration of Bertran de Born, who was supposed to have spent all his time in hell, holding his head as a lantern, to seek redemption for his sins]