We are told to continually confess our sins.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).

One Confession Does Not Last Forever

We must remember that one confession does not last a lifetime. There is not guarantee from Scripture that the believer is exempt from ever falling into the same sin once it is confessed.

New Testament Example

We have an example from the New Testament on our need for daily confession of sins. When people would go to the public baths, they would wash themselves clean all over. However, on the way home, they would gather dirt on their feet. They had to wash themselves again. This time it would not be their entire body, but just their feet that were washed. We find Jesus teaching this to Peter.

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, Lord, are you going to wash my feet? Jesus replied, You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand. No, said Peter, you shall never wash my feet. Jesus answered, Unless I wash you, you have no part with me. Then, Lord, Simon Peter replied, not just my feet but my hands and my head as well! Jesus answered, A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you (John 13:5-10).

Jesus is teaching us the need for daily confession. While our sins have been once and for all forgiven, we need to confess daily our sins before Him to restore the fellowship that may have been broken.