3 Important Questions
1. What is your only comfort in life and in death?
That I, with body and soul, both in life and in death,1Romans 14:7,8 am not my own,21 Corinthians 6:19 but belong to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ,31 Corinthians 3:23 who with His precious blood41 Peter 1:18,19 has fully satisfied for all my sins,51 John. 1:7. 1 John 2:2 and redeemed me from all the power of the devil;61 John 3:8 and so preserves me,7John 6:39 that without the will of my Father in heaven not a hair can fall from my head;8Matthew 10:29, 30; Luke 21:18 indeed, that all things must work together for my salvation.9Romans 8:28 Wherefore, by His Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life,102 Corinthians 1:21, 22; Ephesians 1:13,14; Romans 8:16 and makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live for Him.11Romans 8:1
2. How are you righteous before God?
Only by true faith in Jesus Christ;12Romans 3:21-25; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8-9; Philippians 3:9 that is, although my conscience accuses me, that I have grievously sinned against all the commandments of God, and have never kept any of them,13Romans 3:9-10 and am still prone always to all evil;14Romans 7:23 yet God, without any merit of mine,15Titus 3:5 of mere grace,16Romans 3:24; Ephesians 2:8 grants and imputes to me the perfect satisfaction,171 John 2:2 righteousness, and holiness of Christ,181 John 2:1; Romans 4:4-5; 2 Corinthians 5:19 as if I had never committed nor had any sin, and had myself accomplished all the obedience which Christ has fulfilled for me;192 Corinthians 5:21 if only I accept such benefit with a believing heart.20John 3:18; Romans 3:28; Romans 10:10
3. What is true faith?
True faith is not only a certain knowledge whereby I hold for truth all that God has revealed to us in His Word;21James 1:6 but also a hearty trust,22Romans 4:16-18; 5:1 which the Holy Spirit232 Corinthians 4:13; Philippians 1:19, 29 works in me by the gospel,24Romans 1:16; 10:17 that not only to others, but to me also, forgiveness of sins, everlasting righteousness, and salvation are freely given by God,25Hebrews 11:1-2; Romans 1:17 merely of grace, only for the sake of Christ’s merits.26Ephesians 2:7-9; Romans 3:24-25; Galatians 2:16; Acts 10:43