Three Things

The following was on the cover of the Redeemer PCA Order of Worship Program on Sunday, September 17.

Three things are necessary for you to know the comfort in which you might live and die happily:

First, the greatness of your sin and misery.

Second, how you are redeemed from all your sins and misery.

Third, how you are to be thankful to God for such redemption.

Adapted from the Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 2.

The problem with American Christianity today in that we do not fathom how great our sin is before the only true and living God. The chasm between us and God in His holiness is immeasureable, yet He has closed that gap and redeemed us from our slavery to sin by the blood of Jesus Christ. As far as the east is from the west, so far has the Lord removed our transgressions from us (Psalm 103:12). If you haven't thought about it, consider just how far east is from west. It's immeasureable! And how must we respond to what God has done? We are God's worskmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.