Heidelberg Catechism Lord's Day 33

Question 88. What is involved in genuine repentance or conversion of man?

It is the dying-away of the old self, and the coming to life of the new.

Tanong 88. Sa ilang mga bagay nabubuo ang tunay na pagsisisi o pagbabago ng tao?

Sa dalawang bagay: ang dahan-dahang pagkamatay ng lumang pagkatao at ang pagbubuhay sa bagong pagkatao.

The Commentary of Dr. Zacharias Ursinus on the Heidelberg Catechism II. What Is Man’s Conversion to God?

Man’s conversion to God consists in a change of the corrupt mind and will into that which is good, produced by the Holy Ghost through the preaching of the law and the gospel, which is followed by a sincere desire to produce the fruits of repentance, and a conformity of the life to all the commands of God.

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Romans 6:4 ESV

We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

Romans 6:6–7 ESV

We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin.

Ephesians 4:22–24 ESV

to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Colossians 3:5–10 (ESV)

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry...now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.

The Commentary of Dr. Zacharias Ursinus on the Heidelberg Catechism II. What Is Man’s Conversion to God?

Man’s conversion to God consists in a change of the corrupt mind and will into that which is good, produced by the Holy Ghost through the preaching of the law and the gospel, which is followed by a sincere desire to produce the fruits of repentance, and a conformity of the life to all the commands of God.

The Commentary of Dr. Zacharias Ursinus on the Heidelberg Catechism IV. What Are the Causes of Conversion?

The law, therefore, precedes, and follows conversion. It precedes that it may lead to a knowledge and sorrow for sin: it follows that it may serve as a rule of life to the converted. It is for this reason that the prophets first charge sin upon the ungodly, threaten punishment, and exhort to repentance; then comfort and promise pardon and forgiveness; and lastly, again exhort and prescribe the duties of piety and godliness

Question 89. What is the dying-away of the old self?

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

Tanong 89. Ano ang dahan-dahang pagkamatay ng lumang pagkatao?

Ito ay taos-pusong pagdadalamhati sa kasalanan, na tumutulak sa atin para lalo itong kamuhian at talikdan ito nang lagi at lubus-lubusan.

Joel 2:12–13 ESV

“Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.

2 Corinthians 7:9–10 ESV

As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.

Psalm 51:3–4 ESV

For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.

Psalm 51:17 ESV

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Romans 8:12–13 ESV

So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

Institutes of the Christian Religion 9. Rebirth in Christ!

eAnd indeed, this restoration does not take place in one moment or one day or one year; but through continual and sometimes even slow advances God wipes out in his elect the corruptions of the flesh, cleanses them of guilt, consecrates them to himself as temples renewing all their minds to true purity that they may practice repentance throughout their lives and know that this warfare will end only at death.

Institutes of the Christian Religion 9. Rebirth in Christ!

Now this is not to deny a place for growth; rather I say, the closer any man comes to the likeness of God, the more the image of God shines in him. In order that believers may reach this goal, God assigns to them a race of repentance, which they are to run throughout their lives.

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

It is wholehearted joy in God through Christ and a delight to do every kind of good works as God wants us to.

Tanong 90. Ano ang pagbubuhay sa bagong pagkatao?

Ito ay taos-pusong kagalakan sa Diyos sa pamamagitan ni Cristo na nag-uudyok sa atin na ikalugod ang mamuhay nang ayon sa kalooban ng Diyos sa lahat ng mabubuting gawa.

Psalm 51:8–12 (ESV)

Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice...Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Romans 14:17 ESV

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Romans 6:10–11 ESV

For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 2:20 ESV

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Question 91. But what are good works?

Good works are only that which arises out of true faith, conforms to God’s law, and is done for His glory; and not that which is based on what we think is right or on established human tradition.

Tanong 91. Ano ang mabubuting gawa?

Yun lamang nagmumula sa pamamagitan ng tunay na pananampalataya, na naaayon sa Kautusan ng Diyos, at para sa Kanyang kaluwalhatian, at hindi base sa ating sariling opinyon o katuruan ng tao.

Ephesians 2:10 ESV

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Good works are only that which arises out of true faith

John 15:5 ESV

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

Romans 14:23 ESV

But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.

Hebrews 11:6 ESV

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

conforms to God’s law,

1 Samuel 15:22 ESV

And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.

and is done for His glory

1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

and not that which is based on what we think is right or on established human tradition.

Deuteronomy 12:32 ESV

“Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do. You shall not add to it or take from it.

Matthew 15:7–9 ESV

You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: “ ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ”

Good works are only that which arises out of true faith, conforms to God’s law, and is done for His glory; and not that which is based on what we think is right or on established human tradition.

Base sa definition na ‘to, pwede bang makagawa ng mabuting gawa ang mga non-Christians o unregenerate?

Romans 3:10–12 ESV

as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”

“The Word of God must be our standard of goodness, not nice thoughts, nor pleasant smiles, nor the usefulness of charity. We can be thankful for kindness instead of meanness, but true goodness goes deeper into the heart and higher up to God than mere moralism.” (Kevin DeYoung)

Titus 2:11–14 ESV

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 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.

The Commentary of Dr. Zacharias Ursinus on the Heidelberg Catechism IV. How Can Our Good Works Please God, since They Are Only Imperfectly Good?

HOW CAN OUR GOOD WORKS PLEASE GOD, SINCE THEY ARE ONLY IMPERFECTLY GOOD?

The Commentary of Dr. Zacharias Ursinus on the Heidelberg Catechism IV. How Can Our Good Works Please God, since They Are Only Imperfectly Good?

As they are imperfect in themselves, and defiled in many respects, they cannot of themselves please God, on account of his extreme justice and rectitude. Yet they are, nevertheless, acceptable to God in Christ the Mediator, through faith, or on account of the merit and satisfaction of Christ imputed unto us by faith, and on account of his intercession with the Father in our behalf. For just as we ourselves do not please God in ourselves, but in his Son, so our works being imperfect and unholy in themselves, are acceptable to God on account of the righteousness of Christ, which covers all their imperfection or impurity, so that it does not appear before God.