Q. 1. What is your only comfort, in life and in death?

A. That I belong–body and soul, in life and in death–not to myself but to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ, who at the cost of his own blood has fully paid for all my sins and has completely freed me from the dominion of the devil; that he protects me so well that without the will of my Father in heaven not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, that everything must fit his purpose for my salvation. Therefore, by his Holy Spirit, he also assures me of eternal life, and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him.

Q. 2. How many things must you know that you may live and die in the blessedness of this comfort?

A. Three. First, the greatness of my sin and wretchedness. Second, how I am freed from all my sins and their wretched consequences. Third, what gratitude I owe to God for such redemption.

“It’s not about you.”  This is one of the most powerful statements made in Rick Warren’s best seller, “The Purpose Driven Life.”  It is a humbling reminder that my life is not about me, not about what I can get, but rather who God is and how I can live for Him in praise and adoration.

Rick Warren wasn’t the first to come up with this idea.  In fact, we see it here in the catechism – I belong, body and soul, not to myself but to my faithful savior, Jesus Christ.  I am God’s.  He has paid for my life, through His sacrifice He has made atonement for my sins, He has ransomed me from death, and He continues to protect and preserve me according to His great plan for my life.  This is a tremendous comfort and hope.

In order for this truth to really sink in, though, there are three things I must accept: that I am a sinner in need of salvation, that I have been saved by grace by faith in Jesus Christ, and that I owe God a life of gratitude and praise.  It’s not about me.  It’s all about God and what He has done.  I only hope I can, in some way, adequately express my thanks.

Prayer

Gracious Heavenly Father, I thank you that I am not on my own in life, that I am not my own master, but that I belong to you.  When I was dead in my sinfulness, you purchased me with the blood of Christ, you have set me free for eternal life, and you have given me your promised Holy Spirit that I might grow in the likeness of your Son.

Oh, that I may meditate on your goodness and in my heart be truly thankful for all your grace and mercy all the days of my life. 

In Jesus Name.  Amen.