The Heidelberg Catechism
23. Lord’s Day
Q. 59.
But what does it profit thee now that thou believest all this?
A.
That I am righteous in Christ, before God, and an heir of eternal life.
(a)
(a) Hab.2:4; Rom.1:17; John 3:36.
Q. 60.
How are thou righteous before God?
A.
Only by a true faith in Jesus Christ; (a)
so that, though my conscience accuse me, that I have grossly transgressed all
the commandments of God, and kept none of them, (b)
and am still inclined to all evil; (c)
notwithstanding, God, without any merit of mine, (d)
but only of mere grace, (e)
grants and imputes to me, (f)
the perfect satisfaction, (g)
righteousness and holiness of Christ; (h)
even so, as if I never had had, nor committed any sin: yea, as if I had fully
accomplished all that obedience which Christ has accomplished for me; (i)
inasmuch as I embrace such benefit with a believing heart. (j)
(a) Rom.3:21-25,28; Rom.5:1,2; Gal.2:16; Eph.2:8,9; Philip.3:9. (b)
Rom.3:9. (c) Rom.7:23. (d) Tit.3:5; Deut.9:6; Ezek.36:22. (e)
Rom.3:24; Eph.2:8. (f) Rom.4:4,5; 2 Cor.5:19. (g) 1 John 2:2. (h)
1 John 2:1. (i) 2 Cor.5:21. (j) Rom.3:22; John 3:18.
Q. 61.
Why sayest thou, that thou art righteous by faith only?
A.
Not that I am acceptable to God, on account of the worthiness of my
faith; but because only the satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of
Christ, is my righteousness before God; (a)
and that I cannot receive and apply the same to myself any other way than by
faith only. (b)
(a) 1 Cor.1:30; 1 Cor.2:2. (b) 1 John 5:10.
24. Lord’s Day
Q. 62.
But why cannot our good works be the whole, or part of our righteousness
before God?
A.
Because, that the righteousness, which can be approved of before the
tribunal of God, must be absolutely perfect, (a)
and in all respects conformable to the divine law; and also, that our best
works in this life are all imperfect and defiled with sin. (b)
(a) Gal.3:10; Deut.27:26. (b) Isa.64:6.
Q. 63.
What! do not our good works merit, which yet God will reward in this and
in a future life?
A.
This reward is not of merit, but of grace. (a)
(a) Luke 17:10.
Q. 64.
But does not this doctrine make men careless and profane?
A.
By no means: for it is impossible that those, who are implanted into
Christ by a true faith, should not bring forth fruits of thankfulness. (a)
(a) Matt.7:18; John 15:5.
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