(Second Part: Of Man’s Redemption—Questions 12-85)
59. But what does it help thee now, that thou believest all this?
- That I am righteous in Christ before God, and an heir of eternal life.
60. How art thou righteous before God?
- Only by true faith in Jesus Christ. That is: although my conscience accuse me, that I have grievously sinned against all the commandments of God, and have never kept any of them, and that I am still prone always to all evil, yet God, without any merit of mine, of mere grace, grants and imputes to me the perfect satisfaction, righteousness and holiness of Christ, as if I had never committed nor had any sin, and had myself accomplished all the obedience which Christ has fulfilled for me, if only I accept such benefit with a believing heart.
61. Why sayest thou, that thou art righteous only by faith?
- 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 I can receive the same and make it my own in no other way than by faith only.
