Did we just veer off into hyper grace again?
So, if sin confession for forgiveness (our eternal justification before God, our salvation) is a true and genuine doctrine, how does this line up with Christ's atonement? His blood that cleanses us from all unrighteousness? It cannot be sins only prior to believing in Jesus, but must be all sin.
Hence, if Christ be not risen their faith is vain and they are still in their sins. If they are still in their sins, do you suppose the author was speaking of only their sins prior to conversion or even those after believing in the Gospel? If it isn't the most recent sin included, we run into problems with certain scriptures like the one in the OP.
I am not against sin confession, but I am opposed to any false gospel that tries to supersede Christ's sacrifice on the cross, and resurrection for our eternal salvation. Its sin confession for forgiveness that I take issue with because its almost as if Christ didn't die and resurrect and accomplish the very thing He set out to do. Tear the veil in twain, reconciling us to God taking care of the issue of sin that alienated us.
However, sin confession for forgiveness attempts to contradict this truth, and dare I say, trample underfoot the Son of God. Just as people sought to still sacrifice in the temple for forgiveness, so is sin confession for forgiveness seeking another means to find forgiveness when there is but one sacrifice. Jesus.
For clarification, I am not opposed to sin confession. One is to be fully transparent with the Lord, having no door shut. It is the intent of the confession that I take issue with, for to seek forgiveness is to not realize what Jesus has accomplished on our behalf. We are forgiven. We are reconciled. We are justified. These things we are, in the now. It isn't something we seek, but is something we have received. Praise God.