to quote someone else: Terry Briley (on forgiveness)

"The very awareness of sin, however, opens the door for forgiveness."

taken from The College Press NIV Commentary: Isaiah vol. 1 by Terry Briley

This is in context of Isa. 6, where Isaiah sees a vision of God and responds by saying he is ruined, a man of unclean lips. There is no hope for him, but this awareness of sin paves way to forgiveness he will receive.

I believe this statement says volumes for our ministries. It is when people acknowledge their sin, then the hope of salvation is able to come in to their lives. Without acknowledgement of sin, people do not want to hear (b/c they don't need it) about salvation through Jesus Christ.