Luther's Small Catechism Part 11

James 4:17.

_107. Do the children of G.o.d always live according to the will of their heavenly Father?_

They hate sin, and heartily strive to keep the law of G.o.d; but it is their experience that they sin every day, and that the new life within them is weak.

=Ps. 19:12. Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults?=

=Rom. 7:19. The good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.=

_108. How do the children of G.o.d feel and act when they find that they have sinned?_

They are deeply grieved, they ask their heavenly Father to forgive them, and earnestly strive to put off sin.

_109. What do the children of the world think of sin?_

They love sin, and do not ask to be forgiven.

_110. How does G.o.d threaten those who transgress His commandments?_

He will visit, that is, punish, their wickedness.

_111. How does G.o.d punish sin?_

In soul and body; now and forever.

=Gal. 3:10. Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.=

_112. What does G.o.d promise all who keep His commandments?_

He will have mercy upon them in a thousand generations.

_113. What is here understood by mercy?_

Every blessing for soul and body, now and forever.

=1 Tim. 4:8. G.o.dliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.=

_114. What way of salvation does the Law then point out to us?_

It says, Keep the commandments and you shall be saved.

=Luke 10:28. This do, and thou shalt live.=

_115. Can any man, then, keep G.o.d's commandments so perfectly that he thereby is justified and saved_?

No; every man is a sinner, and he lacks that perfect love which is the fulfillment of the law.

=Rom. 10:3. For they being ignorant of G.o.d's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of G.o.d.=

_116. But does the Word of G.o.d point out a way to us in which a sinner may be justified and saved?_

Yes; in the blessed Gospel.

=Rom. 1:16. I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of G.o.d unto salvation to every one that believeth.=

_117. What parts of the catechism treat about the gospel?_

The four last parts.

PART TWO.

THE THREE ARTICLES OF THE CREED.

_118. Of what do the three articles treat?_

Of the nature, will, and works of the triune G.o.d.

_119. How do you know there is a G.o.d?_

1. From the world's creation, its preservation and government.

=Rom. 1:19, 20. That which may be known of G.o.d is manifest in them; for G.o.d hath showed it unto them.=

=For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and divinity; so that they are without excuse.=

2. From my conscience, which is troubled when I do evil and rejoices when I do good.

=Rom. 2:15. They (the Gentiles) show the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the meanwhile accusing or else excusing one another.=

3. From the holy Scriptures wherein He still more clearly reveals Himself.

=John 1:18. No man hath seen G.o.d at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.=

_120. What is G.o.d?_

G.o.d is a spirit, who is eternal and almighty; all-knowing and everywhere present; wise, good, and merciful; holy, true, and just.

=John 4:24. G.o.d is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.=

=Ps. 90:2. Before the mountains were brought forth, or even thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting thou art G.o.d.=

=Luke 1:37. With G.o.d nothing shall be impossible.=