Tag Archives: Heidelberg Catechism

Hating God?

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Q. 3. Where do you learn of your sin and its wretched consequences?

A. From the Law of God.

Q. 4. What does the Law of God require of us?

A. Jesus Christ teaches this in a summary in Matthew 22:37-40: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets.” (Cf. Luke 10:27.)

Q. 5. Can you keep all this perfectly?

A. No, for by nature I am prone to hate God and my neighbor.

When you closely examine the human condition, there are really only two conclusions you can reach.  The first is that humanity is generally good, that all people mean well, and there is hope for humanity to continually improve upon itself.  In this view, evil is a tragic reminder of our lesser being, something we can overcome by enlightened thinking and a more tolerant society.

The other view, which reflects the revelation of Scripture, is that humanity is fallen and broken, sinful in the eyes of God.  Quoting the Psalms, Paul reminds us in his letter to the Romans, “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands, no one seeks for God.”  “For all have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God.” 

We have been given a high calling, to love the Lord completely, and to love our neighbor as ourselves.  While we all may mean well, we all know that we have fallen short of this calling.  As disturbing as it may sound, we are taught that if we do not love God and our neighbor with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength, then we are in all actuality, hating God.  Deep down we are all prone to serve ourselves first, to seek first the things of this world and our comfort, rather than loving and seeking after God.  This is where the catechism begins, we are prone to hate God; not to burden us with guilt, but to show us first of our need for salvation, and where that salvation is found.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that I have fallen short of your calling; I want to love you, but I am prone to hate you and my neighbor.  Forgive me from my sin in Jesus Christ, that I may be set free to love and serve you.  Amen

I Belong to God…

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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.