True repentance bears good fruit: prayer, thanksgiving, confessing Christ, teaching the faith, honoring authorities, and being faithful to one’s calling. This good fruit is not intended to diminish years of punishment in purgatory, rather, it is produced with thanksgiving to the Lord and for the good of one’s neighbor. Believers can take comfort in the Office of the Keys— the command to forgive the sins of repentant sinners, which always leads one back to Christ instead of our need to do more. “Baptismal waters cover me; Christ’s wounded hand has set me free. Held in my Father’s strong embrace, With joy I praise Him for His grace.” LSB 616, st. 5
Rev. Brian Kachelmeier, pastor at Crown of Life Lutheran Church in San Antonio, TX, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to continue our study of Confession and Satisfaction.