From Discipleship Weekly

(a publication of the Presbyterian Church of Islip)

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A Word from Our Sponsor "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. . . .Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." -- -- Matthew 5:14,16 The Heidelberg Catechism: Part 3 - Thankfulness Week 32 86. Q. Since we have been delivered from our misery by grace alone through Christ, without any merit of our own, why must we yet do good works? A. Because Christ, having redeemed us by His blood, also renews us by His Holy Spirit to be His image, so that with our whole life we may show ourselves thankful to God for His benefits, and He may be praised by us. Further, that we ourselves may be assured of our faith by its fruits, and that by our godly walk of life we may win our neighbors for Christ. [Matt. 7:17-18; Rom. 6:13; 12:1-2; 14:17-19; I Cor. 6:19-20; Gal. 5:22-24; I Pet. 2:5-10,12; 3:1-2; II Pet. 1:10-11] 87. Q. Can those who do not turn to God from their ungrateful, impenitent life be saved? A. A. Certainly not! Scripture (I Cor. 6:9-10) says, "Surely you know that the unjust will never come into possession of the kingdom of God. Make no mistake: no fornicator or idolater, none who are guilty either of adultery or of homosexual perversion, no thieves or grabbers or drunkards or slanderers or swindlers, will possess the kingdom of God." [Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 5:5-6; I John 3:14] Suggestions for discussion and review: Which of the following statements is closest in meaning to today's catechism? Why? 1. Good works are my obligation to God for all he has done for me. 2. Good works are necessary because God demands them from me. 3. Good works are a natural part of my relationship to God-they are done out of love. 4. Good works are not necessary since my salvation doesn't depend on them. * * * * * * * * * * Living for his own pleasure is the least pleasurable thing a man can do; if his neighbors don't kill him in disgust, he will die slowly of boredom and lovelessness. -- Joy Davidman