Right with God

The following is taken from: "The Heidelberg Catechism" which was first published in 1563. It was commissioned for guiding ministers and teachers in instructing the people in the Christian faith.

It is organized into 129 questions and answers. This lesson will look at questions 60 and 61. Each answer provides scriptural proofs for statements given in answers.





60 Q. How are you right with God?

     A. Only by true faith in Jesus Christ. (1)

          Even though my conscience accuses me of having grievously sinned against God's commandments
          and of never having kept any of them,(2) and even though I am still inclined toward all evil,(3)
          nevertheless, without my deserving it at all,(4) out of sheer grace,(5) God grants and credits to me
          the perfect satisfaction, righteousnes, and holiness of Christ,(6) as if I had never sinned nor been  
          a sinner, as if I had been as perfectly obedient as Christ was obedient for me.(7)

          All I need to do is to accept this gift of God with a believing heart.(8)
          __________________________________
          1. Rom. 3:21-28; Gal. 2:16; Eph. 2:8-9; Phil. 3:8-11
          2. Rom. 3:9-10
          3. Rom. 7:23
          4. Tit. 3:4-5
          5. Rom. 3:24; Eph. 2:8
          6. Rom. 4:3-5 (Gen.15:6); 2 Cor. 5:17-19; 1 John 2:1-2
          7. Rom. 4:24-25; 2 Cor. 5:21
          8. John 3:18; Acts 16:30-31


     
61 Q. Why do you say that by faith alone you are right with God?

     A. It is not because of any value my faith has that God is pleased with me. Only Christ's satisfaction,
          righteousness, and holiness make me right with God.(1)
          And I can receive this righteousness and make it mine in no other way than by faith alone.(2)

          _____________________________
          1. 1 Cor. 1:30-31
          2. Rom. 10:10, 1 John 5:10-12