My word tells you to confess your faults to one another. Do you think that this is a part of a legal process for being forgiven of your sins? But this passage does not refer to confession to an authority. It implies that anyone is qualified, and it has to be someone that you trust enough to confide in. Then what is the purpose? Have you done this and felt a sense of relief? This process is even described as unburdening yourself. There are some things that are too great a burden for you to bear alone, and these include your own shortcomings. So this is not a legal requirement for your forgiveness. It is for your healing.
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