Luther's Small Catechism Part 18

He who truly repents, feels his sins with shame and sorrow, he freely confesses his sins to G.o.d, and earnestly seeks the grace of G.o.d in Christ.

=Isa. 55:7. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our G.o.d, for He will abundantly pardon.=

=2 Cor. 7:10. [R. V.] G.o.dly sorrow worketh repentance unto salvation, a repentance which bringeth no regret: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.=

=Ps. 32:5. I acknowledged my sin unto thee; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.=

_209. How do we learn that the grace of G.o.d is found in Christ?_

We learn this through the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit.

_210. What is meant by the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit?_

Through the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit our knowledge of the Gospel truths becomes a living and saving knowledge to our hearts.

=John 14:26. But the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.=

=John 16:13. When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth.=

_211. Of what nature is our knowledge of these truths before the Holy Spirit has enlightened our hearts?_

It is a dead knowledge only, which does not lead to repentance and faith, but leaves us in our sins.

_212. What is the true and living faith in Jesus Christ?_

This is faith, that a repentant sinner lays hold of Christ as his only Savior from sin, and death, and the power of Satan;

That he takes refuge with Christ and His righteousness, and builds thereon with the confidence of his whole heart.

_213. Can only a repentant sinner have this faith in Christ?_

Yes; the faith which lays hold of Christ and His righteousness, can be wrought in that heart only which bitterly feels the pain and misery of living in sin.

=Matt. 9:12. They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.=

_214. Is the true and living faith always and in all persons equally strong?_

No; it is often very weak and scarcely able to avail itself of the grace of G.o.d.

=Mark 9:24. Lord, I believe; help thou my unbelief.=

_215. Whereby may we know whether this weak faith is true and living?_

The true and living faith is known by an earnest hatred of sin, and an eager longing for grace.

_216. Does G.o.d accept this weak faith?_

Yes, indeed; only it be true and sincere.

=Isa. 42:3. A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench.=

_217. What benefit do we have from the true and living faith in Jesus Christ?_

By faith we are justified, born anew, sanctified, and finally saved forever.

_218. What is Justification?_

Justification is the gracious act of G.o.d whereby He for Christ's sake acquits a repentant and believing sinner of his sin and guilt, and looks upon him, in Christ, as though he had never sinned.

=2 Cor. 5:21. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousness of G.o.d in him.=

=Rom. 3:24. (They are) justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.=

_219. What, then, does the believer receive through justification?_

He receives the forgiveness of sins, and is adopted as a child of G.o.d.

=Eph. 1:7. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.=

=Gal. 3:26. For ye are the children of G.o.d by faith in Christ Jesus.=

=Acts 10:43. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.=

_220. What moves G.o.d to forgive sin so freely?_

His everlasting love and mercy alone.

_221. For whose sake does G.o.d forgive us our sins?_

For Christ's sake, who has satisfied for the sins of the whole world by His death on the cross.

=John 1:29. Behold the lamb of G.o.d, which taketh away the sin of the world.=

_222. To what does the forgiveness of sins necessarily lead?_

The forgiveness of sins leads to the full enjoyment of the blessed rights which belong to a child of G.o.d; it also gives free access to the Father's fellows.h.i.+p and blessing, and to the glorious inheritance of eternal life.

=Ps. 32:1, 2. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.=

=Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.=

=Rom. 8:17. And if [we are] children, then heirs; heirs of G.o.d, and joint-heirs with Christ.=

_223. What is the New Birth?_

The New Birth is the gracious work of the Holy Spirit whereby He, through His indwelling in our hearts, renews the image of G.o.d in us, and thus creates a new spiritual man.

=2 Cor. 5:17. If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things have pa.s.sed away; behold, all things are new.=