Catechism Question #62: But why cannot our good works be the whole or part of our righteousness before God?
Answer:Because the righteousness which can stand before the judgment seat of God, must be perfect throughout and entirely conformable to the divine law, but even our best works in this life are all imperfect and defiled with sin.
his question and answer comes from the Heidelberg Catechism, a document written in 1563 by Zacharius Ursinus, professor at the Heidelberg University, and Caspar Olevianus, the court preacher of Elector Frederick III. The catechism was intended to help clarify and instill the truths of the Protestant Reformation. It was immediately and warmly received by the churches of the day, and continues to be an instrumental tool in the "catechizing" or teaching of congregations worldwide. It, along with the Canons of Dortdrecht and the Belgic Confession, is considered one of the Three Forms of Unity adopted as statements of faith by many Protestant and Reformed churches.
The catechism is divided into three main sections, commonly referred to as "Guilt", "Grace" and "Gratitude". In other words, it instructs us in
- How we are to know our condition before God, (Guilty of sin and unable to redeem ourselves.)
- What God has done for us, (Provided attonment for our sins in the life and death of Jesus Christ), and
- What our response to God should be in light of this guilt and grace, (Gratitude to God and cheerful obedience out of our love for Him)
Unlike many theological documents which may be characterized as dry, sterile, or inaccessible, the Heidelberg Chatechism is known and loved for its great themes of comfort, rest and assurance. The first question and answer of the Catechism sets the tone for all that are to follow:
Question #1: What is your only comfort in life and in death?
Answer: That I, with body and soul, both in life and in death, am not my own, but belong to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ, Who with His precious blood has fully satisfied for all my sins, and redeemed me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me, that without the will of my Father in heaven not a hair can fall from my head; yea, that all things must work together for my salvation. Wherefore, by His Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, and makes me heartily willing and ready henceforth to live unto Him.
For more information on the doctrines and beliefs of the Protestant Reformation, visit www.start.urclearning.org, or for a Reformed church in the Los Angeles South Bay area, contact Grace Evangelical Church at (310) 782-7019; E-mail: GECSouthbay@sbcglobal.net
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