Total Honesty

I always loved Luther,

But I assumed I would be

An Erasmus or Melanchthon

In my own theology.

But now it distills, I see

The terrible gravity of sin.

I can in no way diminish

The utter depravity of men,

Which diminishes the cross, the cross!

We must first die to be reborn.

Look down, self-satisfied generation,

Into your sinful heart and mourn.

Throw all you are into the cross,

Keep nothing for your own,

For when God the Just has punished there

All you are is now atoned.