"As Surely as I Live," God Said

"As surely as I live," God said,
"I would not see the sinner dead.
but that he turn from error’s ways,
repent, and live through endless days."

And so our Lord gave this command:
"Go forth and preach in ev'ry land;
bestow on all my pard'ning grace
who will repent of sinful ways.

"All those whose sins you thus remit
I truly pardon and acquit,
and those whose sins you do retain
condemned and guilty shall remain.

"What you will bind, that bound shall be;
what you will loose, that shall be free;
unto my Church the keys are giv'n
to op'n and close the gates of heav'n."

The words which absolution give
are his who died that we might live;
the minister whom Christ has sent
is but His humble instrument.

When ministers lay on their hands,
absolved by Christ the sinner stands;
he who by grace the Word believes
forgiveness, sure and sweet, receives.

Praise God the Father and the Son
and Holy Spirit, Three in One,
as was, is now, and so shall be
forever and eternally!