A Christian is obligated to try to set things right. Sometimes the other party isn’t ready to do that. God is the one who ultimately removes the burden of impending punishment for sin. But as Paul says, for those in Christ, the divine punishment has already been set aside. Confession serves a larger purpose than judicial forgiveness. It’s about reconciliation, the body of Christ diving headlong into the love of Christ and experiencing a bit of heaven on Earth. Reducing it to a checklist you intend to use to evade judgment is rather more like the Pharisee’s self-prayer. Only a few tweaks and it could be about any of the rituals we’re debating here. And the point would be the same. A man can be full of himself and his compliance with all the rules, or he can empty himself of all pride and come to God begging for forgiveness. The story Jesus told lets us know which is more important to God.
Peace,
SR
Thank you for so clearly stating what I have been trying to express.
That's a keeper.