Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 24
[After last week's bombastically Protestant statements about righteousness by faith alone, this week's questions deal with the fallout. Why do you say that? How come God talks about rewards, then? And won't that make people careless, or even evil? The Catechism, as you would expect, responds clearly and wisely. Even our best works are stained with sin. God's rewards are themselves a gift of grace. (Praise God that they are!) And then the beautiful, very Pauline punchline: "It is impossible for those grafted into Christ through true faith not to produce fruits of gratitude." Yes.]
Q62. Why can’t our good works
be our righteousness before God,
or at least a part of our righteousness?
A62. Because the righteousness
which can pass God’s judgment
must be entirely perfect
and must in every way measure up to the divine law.
But even our best works in this life
are imperfect
and stained with sin.
Q63. How can our good works
be said to merit nothing
when God promises to reward them
in this life and the next?
A63. This reward is not earned;
it is a gift of grace.
Q64. But doesn’t this teaching
make people indifferent and wicked?
A64. No.
It is impossible
for those grafted into Christ through true faith
not to produce fruits of gratitude.