We have no idea how unworthy we actually are to stand in the presence of a holy God, and yet we often act as though God should be grateful we believe in him at all. Consider Hebrews’ invitation to draw near boldly anyway, because of our great high priest.

The church stands or falls with this doctrine, Martin Luther said, and Calvin called it the hinge on which all religion turns. This opens the confession’s treatment of justification, the article of faith the Reformation was fought over.

God’s word is like a Swiss army knife, a tool fit for every purpose, breathed out by God and profitable for every situation life throws at us. Consider Hebrews’ picture of that word as living, active, and sharper than any two-edged sword.

Have you ever wondered about all the other religions in the world, and whether the good they do counts for something? Consider the confession’s hard teaching on the exclusivity of the gospel, and why sincerity in a false religion still isn’t enough.

We talk a lot about justifying faith, receiving Christ’s righteousness as a free gift, but not nearly as much about persevering faith, the faith that keeps enduring. Consider Hebrews’ warning not to fall short of God’s promised rest through unbelief.

This is a personal question for many: do babies who die go to heaven? Consider what the confession, and Scripture, actually say about infant salvation.

At the heart of what sin actually is, is lawlessness, refusing our creatureliness and God’s right to rule. Consider Hebrews’ warning against an evil, unbelieving heart that hardens itself against God through sin’s deceitfulness.

Imagine twin siblings, raised in the same Christian home, same parents, same church every Sunday. Why does one believe and the other doesn’t? Consider the confession’s doctrine of effectual calling to answer it.

The cure for apostasy is considering Jesus, which means the cause of apostasy is the opposite: taking our eyes off him and putting them somewhere else. Consider Hebrews’ call to fix our attention back on Christ.

This returns to the 1689 at chapter 9, a chapter that sits at a critical hinge point as the confession turns to the doctrine of salvation. Consider the confession’s careful account of free will, what it means and what it doesn’t.