God’s Perfection; Our Apologetic

Below is a theoretical conversation between someone who is trusting for salvation in grace alone (GA) and someone who professes to be a believer but is ultimately trusting in their own works’ righteousness (WR) to get them into heaven. This conversation is based on the teaching of the Heidelberg Catechim, Lord’s Day 24.

GA: “Why do you think that God will let you into heaven”

WR: “Well, I do try to do the right thing and in the end I think I’m a pretty good person.”

GA: “But do you know that God does not use “pretty good” as his standard; he uses perfection. Jesus himself says, ‘Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect’ (Matt. 5:48).”

WR: “Well, nobody’s perfect!”

GA: “That’s not true. There is one who is perfect, Jesus Christ. The only way to achieve God’s holy standard of perfection is to receive the perfect righteousness of Christ by trusting him alone.”

WR: “Okay, well I already do trust in Christ.”

GA: “That’s not what you said earlier. You said that you were trusting in being pretty good to get into heaven. If you are trusting in yourself then you are not trusting in Christ. Saving trust in Christ is absolutely exclusive!

The Gospel works to undo us so that we give ourselves up into the grace of God and find comfort, not in our achievements but in God’s reward of pure grace!