For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
Thomas K M
I fully endorse the views of the Mr. Houdmann.
We have the relationship with Him already because of Christ's sacrifice and our sins have already been forgiven. However, we must feel sorry and confess to God whenever we commit mistakes to enable us to keep the fellowship with Him.
John Kennedy
According to the Gospel, we're continuously forgiven of all of our sins once we're born-again. According to religion, we continually need to confess our sins in order to be forgiven of them. The latter is due to a teaching on I John 1:9 that couples confessing sins with asking for forgiveness.
Confessing – versus denying – that we've sinned is necessary. In order to stop doing something, one must first realize that one is doing it. However, confessing sins in order to be forgiven of them is where religion differs from the Gospel – creating the question being asked here.
In fact, there's “no longer a question of being at odds with God in any way” (Rom. 5:9 MSG). The teaching that God is at odds with us when we sin is false. That said, our fellowship with God can improve.
If you want to get along with someone who hates sports but loves gardening, for example, don't bore her by talking about sports. If you catch yourself talking about sports, start talking about gardening and everything will be OK. No reasonable person would refuse to listen to you until you ask for forgiveness.
Spouses who get along do so as the result of discovering and then (not) doing what each other (dis)likes. Likewise, once we realize that God dislikes something we're doing, we just need to stop doing it. The more we make such discoveries and changes, the better our fellowship with God.
It's even better when we discover what God likes and do it. Believing in Jesus' blood tops that list (Heb. 11)!
Danny Hickman
Contrary to popular belief, sin is a result of "being," and not of "doing." We who confess our sins are confessing who we are, not what we do. Saved or not, we are living in sinful flesh. The result of living in sinful flesh is death of the flesh (Rom 3:23). The result of living in the Spirit is eternal life in the Spirit, the gift of God by the grace of God. We confess our sins not only for the purpose of being forgiven, but to acknowledge Jesus as our peace with God.
The status of the born again believer is that of a saint, but the practice is that of a sinner. There's no way to live in a flesh body and not be selfish and proud. These are sins of "being," not "doing." That's why Paul called his body a "body of death"(Rom 7:24). Paul was confessing to living in a sinful body, not some secret sin that he was committing. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace (Rom 8:6). Confession is not a carnal act, but a spiritual one.