Geneva Catechism (121 - 130)

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Q. 121. But can we infer from this that a Christian man is justified by works after he has been called by God, or that by the merit of works he makes himself loved by God, whose love is eternal life to us?

A. By no means. We rather hold what is written-that no man can be justified in his sight, and we therefore pray, Enter not into judgment with us." (Ps. cxliii. 2.)


Q. 122. We are not therefore to think that the good works of believers are useless?

A. Certainly not. For not in vain does God promise them reward both in this life and in the future. But this reward springs from the free love of God as its source; for he first embraces us as sons, and then burying the remembrance of the vices which proceed from us, he visits us with his favour.


Q. 123. But can this righteousness be separated from good works, so that he who has it may be void of them?

A. That cannot be. For when by faith we receive Christ as he is offered to us, he not only promises us deliverance from death and reconciliation with God, but also the gift of the Holy Spirit, by which we are regenerated to newness of life; these things must necessarily be conjoined so as not to divide Christ from himself.


Q. 124. Hence it follows that faith is the root from which all good works spring, so far is it from taking us off from the study of them?

A. So indeed it is; and hence the whole doctrine of the gospel is comprehended under the two branches, faith and repentance.


Q. 125. What is repentance?

A. Dissatisfaction with and a hatred of sin and a love of righteousness, proceeding from the fear of God, which things lead to self-denial and mortification of the flesh, so that we give ourselves up to the guidance of the Spirit of God, and frame all the actions of our life to the obedience of the Divine will.


Q. 126. But this second branch was in the division which was set down at first when you showed the method of duly worshipping God.

A. True; and it was at the same time added, that the true and legitimate rule for worshipping God is to obey his will.


Q. 127. Why so?

A. Because the only worship which he approves is not that which it may please us to devise, but that which he hath of his own authority prescribed.


Q. 128. What is the rule of life which he has given us?

A. His law.


Q. 129. What does it contain?

A. It consists of two parts; the former of which contains four commandments, the latter six. Thus the whole law consists of ten commandments in all


Q. 130. Who is the author of this division?

A. God himself; who delivered it to Moses written on two tables, and afterwards declared that it was reduced into ten sentences. (Exod. xxiv. 12; xxxii. 15; xxxiv. 1; Deut. iv. 13; x. 4.)


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