The Heidelberg Catechism Part I: Misery Lord’s Day 4
Question 9: But doesn’t God do us an injustice by requiring in his law what we are unable to do?
Answer 9: No, God created human beings with the ability to keep the law. [1] They, however, provoked by the devil, [2] in willful disobedience, [3] robbed themselves and all their descendants of these gifts. [4]
Supporting Scripture:
[1] Genesis 1:31 NKJV Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
Ephesians 4:24 NKJV and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
[2] Genesis 3:13 NKJV And the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."
John 8:44 NKJV You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.
[3] Genesis 3:6 NKJV So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.
[4] Romans 5:12 NKJV Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned--
Romans 5:18-19 NKJV Therefore, as through one man's offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. (19) For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous.
Q 10: Does God permit such disobedience and rebellion to go unpunished?
A 10: Certainly not. God is terribly angry with the sin we are born with as well as the sins we personally commit. As a just judge, God will punish them both now and in eternity, [1] having declared: “Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the things written in the book of the law.” [2]
Supporting Scripture:
[1] Exodus 34:7 NKJV keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children's children to the third and the fourth generation."
Psalms 5:4-6 NKJV For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, Nor shall evil dwell with You. (5) The boastful shall not stand in Your sight; You hate all workers of iniquity. (6) You shall destroy those who speak falsehood; The LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.
Nahum 1:2 NKJV God is jealous, and the LORD avenges; The LORD avenges and is furious. The LORD will take vengeance on His adversaries, And He reserves wrath for His enemies;
Romans 1:18 NKJV For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
Ephesians 5:6 NKJV Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
Hebrews 9:27 NKJV And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,
[2] Galatians 3:10 NKJV For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them."
Deuteronomy 27:26 NKJV 'Cursed is the one who does not confirm all the words of this law.' "And all the people shall say, 'Amen!' "
Q 11: But isn’t God also merciful?
A 11: God is certainly merciful, [1] but also just. [2] God’s justice demands that sin, committed against His supreme majesty, be punished with the supreme penalty – eternal punishment of body and soul. [3]
Supporting Scripture:
[1] Exodus 34:6-7 NKJV And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, (7) keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children's children to the third and the fourth generation."
Psalms 103:8-9 NKJV The LORD is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. (9) He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever.
[2] Exodus 34:7 NKJV keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children's children to the third and the fourth generation."
Deuteronomy 7:9-11 NKJV "Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments; (10) and He repays those who hate Him to their face, to destroy them. He will not be slack with him who hates Him; He will repay him to his face. (11) Therefore you shall keep the commandment, the statutes, and the judgments which I command you today, to observe them.
Psalms 5:4-6 NKJV For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, Nor shall evil dwell with You. (5) The boastful shall not stand in Your sight; You hate all workers of iniquity. (6) You shall destroy those who speak falsehood; The LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.
Hebrews 10:30-31 NKJV For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay," says the Lord. And again, "The Lord will judge His people." (31) It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
[3] Matthew 25:35-46 NKJV for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; (36) I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.' (37) "Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? (38) When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? (39) Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' (40) And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.' (41) "Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: (42) for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; (43) I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.' (44) "Then they also will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?' (45) Then He will answer them, saying, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.' (46) And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
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