Devotion - Heidelberg Catechism Question 3

Heidelberg Catechism Q1: What is our only comfort in life and in death? A: That I am not my own, but belong-body and soul, in life and in death-to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ.1 He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood, and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil.2 He also watches over me in such a way that not a hair can fall from my head without the will of my Father in heaven; in fact, all things must work together for my salvation.3 Because I belong to him, Christ, by his Holy Spirit, assures me of eternal life and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him.4 1. Romans 14:7-8 For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. 1 Corinthians 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 2. Titus 2:14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. 1 Peter 1:18-19 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. Hebrews 2:14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 1 Peter 1:5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 3. Matthew 10:29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 4. 1 John 4:13 By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. Ezekiel 36:27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. Q2. What do you need to know in order to live and die in the joy of this comfort? A. First, how great my sins and misery are;1 second, how I am delivered from all my sins and misery;2 third, how I am to be thankful to God for such deliverance.3 1. Romans 3:9-10 9 What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, 10 as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one; 1 John 1:10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 2. John 17:3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. Acts 4:12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." Acts 10:43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." 3. Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Romans 6:13 Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. Ephesians 5:8-10 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 1 Peter 2:9-10 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Question 3. Whence knowest thou thy misery? A: Out of the Law of God. Rom. 3:20. Therefore by the deeds of the law, there shall no flesh be justified in His sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. Rom. 7:7. What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, "You shall not covet." Deut 27:26. " 'Cursed be anyone who does not confirm the words of this law by doing them.' And all the people shall say, 'Amen.'" Question 4. What does the Law of God require of us? A: This Christ teaches us in sum, Matt. 22: Thou shalt love the Lord, thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. This is the first and great commandment; and the second is like unto it: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Rom. 13:10. Love is the fulfilling of the law. Deut. 6:5. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. Lev. 19:18. Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. "Neighbor" illustrated Luke 10, the good Samaritan. Question 5. Canst thou keep all this perfectly? A: No: for I am by nature prone to hate God and my neighbor. Rom. 3:10-12. There is none righteous, no, not one: there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Rom. 8:7. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. Perfect, Jas. 2:10. The rich young man, Mark 10:17-22. Ephesians 2:1-3 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience-among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. Titus 3:3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. Jer 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? Rom 8:7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Rom 1:18ff For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth ... they exchange the glory of the immortal God for created things...