Question 59

Q. But what doth it profit thee now that thou believest all this?
A. That I am righteous in Christ, before God, and an heir of eternal life.1

Footnotes

• Rom. 5:1. Rom. 1:17. John 3:36

Question 60

Q. How art thou righteous before God?
A. 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 all evil; notwithstanding, God, without any merit of mine, but only of mere grace, grants and imputes to me the perfect satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ; even so, as if I never had had nor committed any sin: yea, 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.

Footnotes

• Rom. 3:22ff. Gal. 2:16. Eph. 2:8, 9
• Rom. 3:9ff
• Rom. 7:23
• Rom. 3:24
• Tit. 3:5. Eph. 2:8, 9
• Rom. 4:4, 5. 2 Cor. 5:19
• Rom. 4:4
• Rom. 3:24, 25
• 2 Cor. 5:21
• Rom. 3:28. John 3:18

Question 61

Q. Why sayest thou that thou art righteous by faith only?

A. Not that I am acceptable to God on account of the worthiness of my faith, but because only the satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ is my righteousness before God; and that I cannot receive and apply the same to myself any other way than by faith only.

Footnotes

• Psa. 16:2. Eph. 2:8, 9
• 1 Cor. 1:30. 1 Cor. 2:2
• 1 John 5:10