Catechism Question 20
Can we pay our debt to God by our own efforts and good works?
No. In fact, by our sins we increase our debt every day.
Focus and Purpose of this Question
In this question, we establish the fact that redemption and salvation are not found in our own efforts. In fact, as the answer indicates, our own actions only increase our debt to God and the penalty we are due. If we are going to be saved, it will have to be through God’s work, not our own.
This question shows us that salvation is not found by looking within ourselves. To find peace with God, we will require the work of another, someone who will come and work redemption for us.
Additional Questions:
Can I pay the penalty for my own sin?
Is salvation found in my own good works?
Can I be saved by doing more good than evil?
Scripture References:
Isaiah 64:6
All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.
Ephesians 2:8–9
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
Luke 18:10–14
Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men — robbers, evildoers, adulterers — or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ 13 But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ 14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Romans 3:20
Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.
Galatians 2:16
Know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.
Titus 3:5
He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit…
Questions for Further Discussion:
Why is it impossible for us to do enough good works to pay for our own sin?
What if we do a lot of good works? Will they outweigh our sin, and justify us before God?
Why do my sins only increase my debt to God every day?
If we could stop sinning for even a day, would that justify us before God? Why or why not?
Additional Information:
This question is based on question 13 of the Heidelberg Catechism. Any resources you find on the Heidelberg Catechism will have a good discussion on this question.
For additional information, see the teachings “Justification By Faith Alone” (February 6, 2005), and “Our Redemption in Christ (God’s Saving Grace)” (May 20, 2007), and “Preparing for the Judgment” (September 23, 2007).
Suggested Worship Song:
Rock of Ages (by Augustus Toplady, 1763)
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure,
Save from wrath and make me pure.
Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.
Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to Thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless, look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.
While I draw this fleeting breath,
When my eyes shall close in death,
When I rise to worlds unknown,
And behold Thee on Thy throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.