TOPIC: The Office of the Keys & Confession

The Office of the Keys is without a doubt one of the most misunderstood parts of God’s Word. It is probably the least read and least understood part of Luther’s Small Catechism as it teaches and expounds on God’s Word. It is the most misrepresented and poorly explained as well. It is for that reason we will spend some time on Confession to explore this very subject.

The Office of the Keys, as explained by Martin Luther, is:

“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.”

A Christian congregation, with its pastor, uses the keys according to Christ’s command, either by forgiving those who repent of their sins and are willing to change, or by excluding those who are obviously impenitent from the Christian congregation. These actions are as valid and certain in heaven also as if Christ our dear Lord were dealing with us Himself.

It is in confession and repentance that the wonders of God, and the treasures of the Means of Grace, are found. There is no more freeing force than to faithfully admit your faults and find in that true freedom. Forgiveness is always and immediately available to every repentant heart. God is desperate to save, and it is God’s desire that all would be saved.