Not to belabor the point right now, but one "earns" absolution - forgiveness - by resolving to not repeat the sin, to return to a state of grace through actions and not just words, and for Christians, the immersion in the sacramental life of the faith.  Forgiveness, in all of its many meanings, comes with changes in heart, mind and action.  How else are we to see that the change for the better has really occurred?