HC 2

Q2. What do you need to know in order to live and die in the joy of this comfort?

First, how great my sins and misery are; second, how I am delivered from all my sins and misery; third, how I am to be thankful to God for such deliverance.

Proof texts

• Rom. 3:9-10 — [9] What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, [10] as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one;
• 1 John 1:10 — [10] If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
• John 17:3 — [3] And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
• Acts 4:12 — [12] And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
• Acts 10:43 — [43] To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
• Matt. 5:16 — [16] In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
• Rom. 6:13 — [13] Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.
• Eph. 5:8-10 — [8] for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light [9] (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), [10] and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.
• 1 Pet. 2:9-10 — [9] But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. [10] Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

For discussion

1. The Assembly cited Rom. 3:9-10 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
2. 9 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?