How are we righteous before God?
For the past few Sundays my Sunday School Class has been discussing the grace of God. Here are a few of my thoughts on the issue.
I don’t understand a lot about God or why things happen in this world the way they do, but I can say that I understand the grace of God. I owe much of that understanding to a dear friend of mine who happened to be my pastor during a time of great questioning in my life. It is truly amazing to me that God chooses to love me in spite of me. I live with the complete assurance that no matter my actions God sees Jesus when he sees me. Many people have a hard time with this issue because it seems like “permission to sin”. However, I think when we truly understand God’s grace we are more inclined to follow his ways out of love. I’ll be the first to admit that I “mess-up” often but I do seek to honor God through my life. I know that no matter what I do God has forgiven me through Christ.
My former pastor and friend sent me the following definition in the mail and it hangs on my fridge. It is taken from the Heidelberg Catechism. This is the clearest explanation of the gospel that I know.
How art though righteous before God?
“Only by a true faith in Jesus Christ; so that, though my conscience accuse me, that I have grossly transgressed all the commandments of God, and kept none of them, and am still inclined to evil.; notwithstanding, God, without any merit of mine, but only mere grace, grants and imputes to me, the perfect satisfaction, righteousness and holiness of Christ; even so, as if I never had, nor committed any sin: yeas, as if I had fully accomplished all that obedience which Christ has accomplished for me; inasmuch as I embrace such benefit with a believing heart.”