Photo courtesy of WallyG
So, previously in the Heidelberg Catechism, we have determined that Christ is our only comfort in life and death, and that in order to take advantage of that comfort, we must know three things, including 1) how miserable we are in sin, 2) how to be saved, and 3) how to show gratitude for our salvation.
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Q3 of the Heidelberg Catechism begins to delve more deeply into the first criterion of Q2 - we must know that we are miserable in our sinfulness.
Heidelberg Q3: Whence knowest thou thy misery? A: Out of the law of God. Scripture Proof: Rom3:20.
The previous questions of Heidelberg were lengthy and detailed, but this one is short, sweet, and direct.
For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. (Romans 3:20; ESV)
Similarly, in Hebrews, the author discusses how sacrifices (and in general, works and the law) can never remove sins because they serve as a constant reminder that we remain in a state of sin.
For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year... And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. (Heb 10:1-11; ESV)
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So we obviously need God's law, don't we?
ReplyDeleteOtherwise, we likely think much more highly of ourselves than we ought and because of that, we miss out on knowing the comfort that Christ alone can give in the gospel.
Having the law applied to our heart is spiritual therapy for the soul, is it not, Dr. Pat? No pain, no gain. And in this case, the gain - or loss - is an eternal one if we do not come to know our sinfulness and through that, come to know the Savior.
That's right - It's hard (maybe impossible) to do therapy on a person for a problem that they don't know they have or that they deny. Just try getting someone to stop smoking when they love it and think it's good for them.
ReplyDeleteIn therapy-speak, that's called "pre-contemplation" - as in, the person has not yet even begun to contemplate changing their status.
The Law is sufficient to remove us from pre-contemplation and at least make us contemplate our need for salvation (so says Romans 3:20).