>>>”If we had to earn His forgiveness”
Is repenting “earning?” Is a sin forgiven without repenting?
No.
Sin is forgiven with confession.
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.
There's a difference between confessing and repenting and doing works to pay off the debt we owe for our sin, as in penance.