Saturday September 12, 2020 - The Keys
First: What is the use of the keys?
The use of the keys is that special power and right which Christ gave to his church on earth: to forgive the sins of penitent sinners but refuse forgiveness to the impenitent as long as they do not repent
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The holy evangleist John writes in chapter 20, “[Jesus] breathed on [his disciples] and said, ‘Recieve the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.’”
The section on the keys was not in some of Luther’s first catechisms, but that doesn’t mean they are not important. Luther wrote many other things about the keys of the Kingdom. It was also in some of his later editions of the catechism.
One could argue that the keys of the Kingdom are very important to Christians. These are the tools that we were entrusted with by Jesus himself. The are the power that we have to forgive sins or to leave sins unforgiven. That is a huge responsibility for us.
Maybe you remember the story of the paralyzed man who was lowered through the roof of the house before Jesus. There Jesus told him his sins were forgiven and Jesus tells the Pharisees that only God can forgive sins. When Jesus gave us the keys, he made us God’s ambassadors here on earth. He gave us a power that only God has and can give. That’s a huge responsibility.
Thank God for the power that he has given you. He has given you the keys to the door of heaven. You can forgive other’s sins. Amen.
Our song for today is “That's How You Forgive” By Shane and Shane