From Discipleship Weekly

(a publication of the Presbyterian Church of Islip)

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A Word from Our Sponsor "For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven." -- Matthew 5:20 The Heidelberg Catechism: Part 2- Of Man's Redemption Week 24 62. Q. But why cannot our good works be our righteousness before God, or at least a part of it? A. Because the righteousness which can stand before the judgment of God must be absolutely perfect and wholly in conformity with the Divine law. But even our best works in this life are all imperfect and defiled with sin. [Deut. 27:26; Is. 64:6; Gal. 3:10] 63. Q. Will our good works merit nothing, even when it is God's purpose to reward them in this life, and in the future life as well? A. This reward is not given because of merit, but out of grace. [Matt. 5:12; Luke 17:10; II Tim. 4:7-8; Heb. 11:6] 64. Q. But does not this teaching make people careless and sinful? A. No, for it is impossible that those who are ingrafted into Christ by true faith not to bring forth the fruit of gratitude. [Matt. 7:18; Luke 6:43-45; John 15:5] Suggestions for discussion and review: 1. Answer 64 uses the image of the believer being "ingrafted into Christ" as a branch to a tree or a vine. What other images can you think of that Jesus used to describe the believer's relationship to God, and their role in the world? What do these word pictures have in common? How do they help you in your walk with the Lord? 2. How would you answer the following?: Christianity is a mercenary religion like all the rest. You only believe because of the rewards promised you in heaven. or The number one cause of atheism is Christians. Those who proclaim God with their mouths and deny Him with their lifestyles is what an unbelieving world finds simply unbelievable. -- Karl Rahner