Section 23: Lord’s Day 23

But what doth it profit thee now that thou believest all this?

That I am righteous in Christ, before God, and an heir of eternal life.^a

1. a. Romans 5:1; Romans 1:17; John 3:36

   Romans 5:1

   Romans 1:17

   John 3:36

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

How art thou righteous before God?

Only by a true faith in Jesus Christ:^a so that, though my conscience accuse me, that I have grossly transgressed all the commands of God, and kept none of them,^b and am still inclined to all evil;^c notwithstanding, God, without any merit of mine,^d but only of mere grace,^e grants^f and imputes to me,^g the perfect satisfaction, righteousness and holiness of Christ;^h even so, as if I never had had, nor committed any sin: yea, as if I had fully accomplished all that obedience which Christ hath accomplished for me;ⁱ inasmuch as I embrace such benefit with a believing heart.^j

1. a. Romans 3:22ff; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8–9

   Romans 3:22–31

   Galatians 2:16

   Ephesians 2:8–9

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

2. b. Romans 3:9ff

   Romans 3:9–31

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

3. c. Romans 7:23

   Romans 7:23

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

4. d. Romans 3:24

   Romans 3:24

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

5. e. Titus 3:5; Ephesians 2:8–9

   Titus 3:5

   Ephesians 2:8–9

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

6. f. Romans 4:4–5; 2 Corinthians 5:19

   Romans 4:4–5

   2 Corinthians 5:19

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

7. g. 1 John 2:1

   1 John 2:1

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

8. h. Romans 3:24–25

   Romans 3:24–25

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

9. i. 2 Corinthians 5:21

   2 Corinthians 5:21

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

10. j. Romans 3:28; John 3:18

    Romans 3:28

    John 3:18

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

What sayest thou, that thou art righteous by faith only?

Not that I am acceptable to God, on account of the worthiness of my faith;^a but because only the satisfaction righteousness, and holiness of Christ is my righteousness before God;^b and that I cannot receive and apply the same to myself any other way than by faith only.^c

1. a. Psalm 16:2; Ephesians 2:8–9

   Psalm 16:2

   Ephesians 2:8–9

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

2. b. 1 Corinthians 1:30; 1 Corinthians 2:2

   1 Corinthians 1:30

   1 Corinthians 2:2

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

3. c. 1 John 5:10

   1 John 5:10

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible