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He who truly repents, feels his sins with shame and sorrow, he freely confesses his sins to G.o.d, and earnestly seeks the grace of G.o.d in Christ.
=Isa. 55:7. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our G.o.d, for He will abundantly pardon.=
=2 Cor. 7:10. [R. V.] G.o.dly sorrow worketh repentance unto salvation, a repentance which bringeth no regret: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.=
=Ps. 32:5. I acknowledged my sin unto thee; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.=
_209. How do we learn that the grace of G.o.d is found in Christ?_
We learn this through the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit.
_210. What is meant by the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit?_
Through the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit our knowledge of the Gospel truths becomes a living and saving knowledge to our hearts.
=John 14:26. But the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.=
=John 16:13. When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth.=
_211. Of what nature is our knowledge of these truths before the Holy Spirit has enlightened our hearts?_
It is a dead knowledge only, which does not lead to repentance and faith, but leaves us in our sins.
_212. What is the true and living faith in Jesus Christ?_
This is faith, that a repentant sinner lays hold of Christ as his only Savior from sin, and death, and the power of Satan;
That he takes refuge with Christ and His righteousness, and builds thereon with the confidence of his whole heart.
_213. Can only a repentant sinner have this faith in Christ?_
Yes; the faith which lays hold of Christ and His righteousness, can be wrought in that heart only which bitterly feels the pain and misery of living in sin.
=Matt. 9:12. They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.=
_214. Is the true and living faith always and in all persons equally strong?_
No; it is often very weak and scarcely able to avail itself of the grace of G.o.d.
=Mark 9:24. Lord, I believe; help thou my unbelief.=
_215. Whereby may we know whether this weak faith is true and living?_
The true and living faith is known by an earnest hatred of sin, and an eager longing for grace.
_216. Does G.o.d accept this weak faith?_
Yes, indeed; only it be true and sincere.
=Isa. 42:3. A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench.=
_217. What benefit do we have from the true and living faith in Jesus Christ?_
By faith we are justified, born anew, sanctified, and finally saved forever.
_218. What is Justification?_
Justification is the gracious act of G.o.d whereby He for Christ's sake acquits a repentant and believing sinner of his sin and guilt, and looks upon him, in Christ, as though he had never sinned.
=2 Cor. 5:21. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousness of G.o.d in him.=
=Rom. 3:24. (They are) justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.=
_219. What, then, does the believer receive through justification?_
He receives the forgiveness of sins, and is adopted as a child of G.o.d.
=Eph. 1:7. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.=
=Gal. 3:26. For ye are the children of G.o.d by faith in Christ Jesus.=
=Acts 10:43. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.=
_220. What moves G.o.d to forgive sin so freely?_
His everlasting love and mercy alone.
_221. For whose sake does G.o.d forgive us our sins?_
For Christ's sake, who has satisfied for the sins of the whole world by His death on the cross.
=John 1:29. Behold the lamb of G.o.d, which taketh away the sin of the world.=
_222. To what does the forgiveness of sins necessarily lead?_
The forgiveness of sins leads to the full enjoyment of the blessed rights which belong to a child of G.o.d; it also gives free access to the Father's fellowship and blessing, and to the glorious inheritance of eternal life.
=Ps. 32:1, 2. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.=
=Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.=
=Rom. 8:17. And if [we are] children, then heirs; heirs of G.o.d, and joint-heirs with Christ.=
_223. What is the New Birth?_
The New Birth is the gracious work of the Holy Spirit whereby He, through His indwelling in our hearts, renews the image of G.o.d in us, and thus creates a new spiritual man.
=2 Cor. 5:17. If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things have pa.s.sed away; behold, all things are new.=
