Do we really need to confess our sins in worship?

Is this a rhetorical question? I am disgusted at a fellow colleague who told a church member of his congregation that we don’t need to confess our sins when we come to church. He said, “Do you come to church with some sin that burdens you, and if you do, why?” He said that all of our sins are forgiven—yesterday, today, and always. There is no reason for us to come to church and feel sorry over our sins because it has already been forgiven. He said, "God doesn't want you to come to church so that He can bash you down with your sins--He is just so happy to have you there because He has restored you and forgiven you because of what Jesus has done for you on the cross. Why bother with a confession when all is forgiven anyway. It's a waste of time."

I concede the fact that our sins are forgiven yesterday, today, and forever. I concede that God does not want to bash us down because of our sins. But what about passages like 1 John 1:8-9? “If we say we have no, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Our God, is a God that likes to be reminded of His forgiveness and loving-kindness. By our confessing to Him our sins, we are reminding Him of His loving kindness and forgiveness and we are reminding ourselves that our forgiveness is complete in Christ Jesus.

It’s like another colleague said to me, “You wouldn’t tell you wife on your wedding day that you loved her and then say, I won’t ever tell you this again because I’ve told you once and it’s good for all time.” I don’t know about your wife, but that wouldn’t work with mine! I don’t think God thinks to favorably on the idea of His people never recognizing His loving forgiveness, and we recognize His love and forgiveness by confessing our sins.

And if that isn’t enough, we simply need to hear the healing balm of the Gospel—you are forgiven, go in peace! Would like some feedback.