We are commanded to repent and confess. It's a change of heart. We are new creatures in Christ, not just cleaned up old ones.
When we are saved we are crucified with Christ and made new creatures, the old has gone and the new has come. If the flesh has been crucified with Christ, how can one not be saved?
I agree. I never said they were an incantation and why you got that impression is strange as I never said that or even implied that. You might want to go back are read exactly what I wrote.