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