Lord’s Day 23
Q60. How are you right with God?
Only by true faith in Jesus Christ. Even though I know I have broken all God's commandments and have never kept any of them perfectly, and even though I still want to do wrong, God — without me earning it at all, purely by grace, — imputed (credited) to me the perfect goodness, righteousness, and holiness of Christ, as if I had never sinned and had been as perfectly obedient as Christ was for me. All I need to do is receive this gift from God with a believing heart.
Scripture Proofs — King James Version
Romans 3:21–28
Galatians 2:16
“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”
Ephesians 2:8–9
Philippians 3:8–11
Romans 3:9–10
Romans 7:23
Titus 3:4–5
Romans 3:24
Ephesians 2:8
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”
Romans 4:3–5
2 Corinthians 5:17–19
Romans 4:24–25
2 Corinthians 5:21
“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
John 3:18
Acts 16:30–31
Romans 3:28
Parent Guide
Discuss this question together
Discussion Questions
- 1
How does the catechism say you are made right with God?
- 2
Why does the answer mention that we still want to do wrong?
- 3
What does it mean that God credits Christ's righteousness to you?
Illustration
Imagine you show up to school in dirty clothes, and a friend offers you a brand-new clean outfit to wear. You did not earn it. You just put it on. God takes Christ's perfect obedience and puts it on your record, as if you had lived his sinless life yourself. All you do is receive it by faith.
Application
This week, when you fail or mess up, do not try to earn your way back into God's favor. Instead, thank him that Christ's perfect record already covers you. Rest in that gift.