Heidelberg Catechism Question/Answers 86 - 91

AndersonBibleStudy will continue looking at the Confessions and Catechisms which were produced after the Protestent Reformation.

Heidelberg Catechism (1563)

86 Q. We have been delivered from our misery by God's grace alone through Christ and not because we have earned it: why then must we still do good.

A. To be sure, Christ has redeemed us by his blood. But we do good because Christ by his Spirit is also renewing us to be like himself, so that in all our living we may show that we are thankful to God for all he has done for us, (1) and so that he may be praised through us. (2) And we do good so that we may be assured of our faith by its fruits, (3) and so that by our godly living our neighbors may be won over to Christ. (4)

(1.) Rom. 6:13; 12:1-2; 1 Pet. 2:5-10  (2.) Matt. 5:16; 1 Cor. 6:19-20  (3.) Matt. 7:17-18; Gal. 5:22-24; 2 Pet. 1:10-11  (4) Matt. 5:14-16; Rom. 14:17-19; 1 Pet. 2:12; 3:1-2

87 Q. Can those be saved who do not turn to God from their ungrateful and impenitent ways?

A. By no means. Scripture tells us that no unchaste person, no idolater, adulterer, thief, no covetous person, no drunkard, slander, robber, or the like is going to inherit the kingdom of God.(1)

(1) 1 Cor. 6:8-10; Gal 5:19-21; Eph. 5:1-20; 1 John 3:14

88 Q. What is involved in genuine repentance or conversion?

A. Two things: the dying away of the old self, and the coming to life of the new.(1)

(1) Rom. 6:1-11; 2 Cor. 5:17; Eph. 4:22-24; Col. 3:5-10

89 Q. What is the dying away of the old self?

A. It is to be genuinely sorry for sin, to hate it more and more, and to run away from it. (1)

(1) Ps. 51:3-4; 17; Joel 2:12-13; Rom. 8:12-13; 2 Cor. 7:10

90 Q. What is the coming to life of the new self?

A. It is wholehearted joy in God through Christ (1) and a delight to do every kind of good as God wants us to. (2)
(1) Ps. 51:8, 12; Isa. 57:15; Rom. 5:1; 14:17  (2) Rom. 6:10-11; Gal. 2:20

91 Q. What do we do that is good?

A. Only that which arises out of true faith,(1) conforms to god's law, (2) and is done for his glory;(3) and not based on what we think is right or on established human traditions. (4)

(1) John 15:5; Heb. 11:6 (2) Lev. 18:4; 1 Sam. 15:22; Eph. 2:10  (3) 1 Cor 10:31  (4) Deut. 12:32; Isa. 29:13; Ezek. 20:18-19 Matt. 15:7-9

Emphasis added
Source: The Heidelberg Catechism Faith Alive Christian Resources, Grand Rapids, Michigan