Heidelberg Catechism, Week 23

Lord’s Day 23

59. What does it help you now, that you believe all this?

That I am righteous in Christ before God, and an heir of eternal life.¹

¹ Hab 2:4; Jn 3:36; Rom 1:17, 5:1-2, 8:16; Tit 3:7

60. How are you righteous before God?

Only by true faith in Jesus Christ:¹ that is, although my conscience accuses me, that I have grievously sinned against all the commandments of God, and have never kept any of them,² and am still prone always to all evil;³ yet God, without any merit of mine,⁴ of mere grace,⁵ grants and imputes to me the perfect satisfaction,⁶ righteousness, and holiness of Christ,⁷ as if I had never committed nor had any sins, and had myself accomplished all the obedience which Christ has fulfilled for me;⁸ if only I accept such benefit with a believing heart.⁹

¹ Rom 3:21-28; Gal 2:16; Eph 2:8-9; Php 3:8-11; ² Rom 3:9-10; ³ Rom 7:23; ⁴ Dt 9:6; Ezek 36:22; Tit 3:4-5; ⁵ Rom 3:24; Eph 2:8; ⁶ 1 Jn 2:2; ⁷ Rom 4:3-5; 2 Cor 5:17-19; 1 Jn 2:1; ⁸ Rom 4:24-25; 2 Cor 5:21; ⁹ Jn 3:18; Acts 16:30-31; Rom 3:22, 28, 10:10

61. Why do you say that you are righteous by faith only?

Not that I am acceptable to God on account of the worthiness of my faith, but because only the satisfaction, righteousness and holiness of Christ is my righteousness before God;¹ and I can receive the same and make it my own in no other way than by faith only.²

¹ 1 Cor 1:30-31, 2:2; ² Isa 53:5; Rom 4:16, 10:10; Gal 3:22; 1 Jn 5:10-12