Q. 59. But what does it profit thee now that thou believest all this?
A. That I am righteous in Christ, before God, and an heir of eternal life. [a]
Q. 60. How are thou righteous before God?
A. Only by a true faith in Jesus Christ; [a] so that, though my conscience accuse me, that I have grossly transgressed all the commandments 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 and imputes to me, [f] the perfect satisfaction, [g] 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 has accomplished for me; [i] inasmuch as I embrace such benefit with a believing heart. [j]
Q. 61. Why sayest thou, that thou art righteous by faith only?
A. Not that I am acceptable to God, on account of the worthiness of my faith; but because only the satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ, is my righteousness before God; [a] and that I cannot receive and apply the same to myself any other way than by faith only. [b]
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We need to be reminded that we are not acceptable to God (or righteous) on account of the worthiness of our faith, because we are inclined by our sinful nature to be proud of ourselves. We want to think that we are wiser than most. We want to think that we are more faithful than most. We want to do something, even if it can’t be works, to distinguish ourselves as better than the rest. We want some credit for “our” faith.
Yet, this Lord’s Day reminds us that our faith is only the means by which we can receive and apply the “satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ” to ourselves. But, it is the “satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ” that makes us righteous.
Faith is not a product of our own wisdom. Faith is a gift of God. The Canons of Dordt, SECOND HEAD OF DOCTRINE – Of the Death of Christ, and the Redemption of Men Thereby, Article 8, make it clear that faith is one of the “saving gifts of the Holy Spirit, he (Christ) purchased for them by his death”.
Article 8. “For this was the sovereign counsel, and most gracious will and purpose of God the Father, that the quickening and saving efficacy of the most precious death of his Son should extend to all the elect, for bestowing upon them alone the gift of justifying faith, thereby to bring them infallibly to salvation: that is, it was the will of God, that Christ by the blood of the cross, whereby he confirmed the new covenant, should effectually redeem out of every people, tribe, nation, and language, all those, and those only, who were from eternity chosen to salvation, and given to him by the Father; that he should confer upon them faith, which together with all the other saving gifts of the Holy Spirit, he purchased for them by his death; should purge them from all sin, both original and actual, whether committed before or after believing; and having faithfully preserved them even to the end, should at last bring them free from every spot and blemish to the enjoyment of glory in his own presence forever.” (Emphasis added).
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 