WCF 15.4 WSC 85 (Of Repentance unto Life)

As there is no sin so small that it does not deserve damnation(1), so there is no sin so great that it can bring damnation on those who truly repent(2).

(NEXT) Matthew 12:36 “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak”

No sin so small: (“word”, even thought, deed)… godless intentions of the heart that opposes Holy God’s perfect standard of righteousness.

Therefore no such thing as excusable sin in the face of God, as EVERY sin is a "serious/direct” offense and rebellious act against the God of the universe, and therefore mortal, deserving damnation.

damnation(curse): (Rom 6:23) death (greek:thanatos) - physical and spiritual death to bear God’s full wrath against sins without end—not natural process as originally intended in God’s creation order, but a consequence of sin.

Yet No sin so great that it can bring damnation:

No sin able to remove the saving grace of Christ that God has given to His people… to bring damnation to them...

Even such a horrendous sin of murder

despite NO sin being excusable and consequence should be death for the rest of eternity, scripture still tells “sinners” to “return” to the Lord in true repentance

Why? Because Jesus chose to pay the immeasurable death penalty as Lord, representing those who belong to Him.

And so, Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

But on what condition?

The condition of true repentance given to you by God, Himself

(NEXT) Isaiah 55:7 “let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD (YHWY), that He may have compassion on him, and to our God (Elohim), for he will abundantly pardon.”

God calls on the “wicked”( ra sa - criminal, guilty of death), which are all people, stuck in all their sinful ways and “thoughts”. And after hearing His call, “if” God gives them a new mind of Christ because of His compassion, the wicked “will” renounce their sins and turn to God, and by that “SAME” compassion God has, He outpours forgiveness, which He already had in store, “abundantly” through the blood of His Son, Christ Jesus.

true repentance:

So now those who are indeed “in” Christ Jesus, who are not condemned, receive sight to the horridness of their own sins, and with genuine sorrow in what it cost our Lord, grieves with the indwelling Spirit of Christ with a new desire to turn from wicked sinful ways and thoughts to hope in Christ alone.

(1) Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 5:12 “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—” Matthew 12:36 “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,”

(2)Isaiah 55:7 “let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Isaiah 1:16 “Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil,” Isaiah 1:18 ““Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.”

Q 85. What does God require from us to escape His wrath and curse, which we deserve for our sin?

To escape God’s wrath and curse, which we deserve for our sin, God requires from us faith in Jesus Christ and repentance unto life along with diligent involvement in all the external ways Christ uses to bring us the benefits of redemption.

First, it says here that we need faith and repentance unto life if we are to escape God’s wrath and curse.

Jesus Himself said it:

(NEXT) Mark 1:15 “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

But what have we learned about faith and repentance thus far?

Faith: belief in Christ alone for your salvation (no other way)

Repentance: is the result/fruit of believing in Christ.

It is a gift from God (Eph 2:8-9) / (Acts 5:31) and not something we can source from within ourselves no matter how much work we put into it.

Therefore, no matter how much effort you give, you cannot escape God’s wrath and curse without Him first giving you the gift of faith and repentance unto life.

And therefore we can say that God is the enabler and the one who works in us our faith so that we are able to work out our own salvation (Phil 2:12-13)

It should be needless to say then that if God is in us, we would be compelled to be...

“Diligently” involved with ALL the external ways Christ uses to bring us benefits...

(Philippians 2:13 “for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”)

Therefore if there is no evidence of this fruit in your life, then it is proof that there is no genuine faith or repentance.

Jesus’ primary ministry was on repentance and the Kingdom of Heaven.

The power of God’s Word then goes out into hearts by His Spirit who gives faith and

Acts 20:21 “testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.” Mark 1:15 “and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” John 3:18 “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” Philippians 2:12–13 “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

Our Father God, Who art in Heaven.

Our Father. Your sovereign will has eternally been in motion. Who can stop or resist it? Through Your Son, You have brought your heavenly kingdom to Earth and taught how radically different the rules of Heaven is from the rules of this world, in which Satan has been working against.