Essentials

How many things are necessary for you to know, that in this comfort (see previous post) you may live and die happily?

Three things: First, the greatness of my sin and misery1.Second, how I am redeemed from all my sins and misery2. Third, how I am to be thank for to God for such redemption3.

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1

John 9:41 (NLT) — 41 “If you were blind, you wouldn’t be guilty,” Jesus replied. “But you remain guilty because you claim you can see.

John 15:22 (NLT) — 22 They would not be guilty if I had not come and spoken to them. But now they have no excuse for their sin.

Romans 3:9–10 (NLT) — 9 Well then, should we conclude that we Jews are better than others? No, not at all, for we have already shown that all people, whether Jews or Gentiles, are under the power of sin. 10 As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous— not even one.

1 John 1:10 (NLT) — 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.

2

John 17:3 (NLT) — 3 And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.

Acts 4:12 (NLT) — 12 There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”

Acts 10:43 (NLT) — 43 He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name.”

Galatians 3:13 (NLT) — 13 But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”

3

Matthew 5:16 (NLT) — 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

Romans 6:13 (NLT) — 13 Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.

Ephesians 5:8–11 (NLT) — 8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. 10 Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. 11 Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them.

Colossians 3:17 (NLT) — 17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

1 Peter 2:9–12 (NLT) — 9 But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. 10 “Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.” 11 Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. 12 Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.

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Heidelberg Catechism