[Intro - Quiet, distorted guitar feedback] [Verse 1 - What is Confession? Quiet and raw] What is Confession? Confession has two parts First, that we confess our sins And second, that we receive absolution That is, forgiveness, from the pastor As from God Himself [Chorus - Cathartic, heavier] Not doubting But firmly believing That by it our sins are forgiven Before God in heaven [Verse 2 - What sins should we confess? Building] What sins should we confess? Before God we should plead guilty of all sins Even those we are not aware of As we do in the Lord's Prayer But before the pastor We should confess only those sins which we know and feel in our hearts [Verse 3 - Self-examination, raw and stripped] Which are these? Consider your place in life according to the Ten Commandments Are you a father, mother, son, daughter, husband, wife, or worker Have you been disobedient, unfaithful, or lazy Have you been hot-tempered, rude, or quarrelsome Have you hurt someone by your words or deeds Have you stolen, been negligent, wasted anything, or done any harm [Chorus - Cathartic, heavier] Not doubting But firmly believing That by it our sins are forgiven Before God in heaven [Bridge - The Office of the Keys, quieter then building] What is the Office of the Keys? The Office of the Keys is that special authority which Christ has given to His church on earth To forgive the sins of repentant sinners But to withhold forgiveness from the unrepentant As long as they do not repent Where is this written? This is what St. John the Evangelist writes in chapter twenty The Lord Jesus breathed on His disciples and said "Receive the Holy Spirit If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven" John, chapter twenty, verses twenty-two and twenty-three What do you believe according to these words? I believe that when the called ministers of Christ deal with us by His divine command In particular when they exclude openly unrepentant sinners from the Christian congregation And absolve those who repent of their sins and want to do better This is just as valid and certain, even in heaven As if Christ our dear Lord dealt with us Himself [Final Chorus - Full distortion, cathartic release] Not doubting But firmly believing That by it our sins are forgiven Before God in heaven [Outro - Feedback fading to silence]
