Catechism Question 18
Will God condemn all mankind to suffer and die in sin?
No. In His holiness, love, and integrity God has provided a way of redemption and forgiveness.
Focus and Purpose of this Question
In this question, we are making the point that God has not left us without hope. The previous questions would leave us in despair if God had not provided a way of escape. Because of our sin, we can not save ourselves. But thanks be to God, He has provided a way out for us.
Note that God’s way of redemption from sin, like His judgment of sin, is related to His character. Redemption is not based on one aspect of God’s character – but all of His character. Because God is holy, redemption must include payment for sin. Because God is loving, He desires to save us from our sin. Because of His integrity, God works redemption in a way that is perfectly consistent with His own character.
This question shows us that there is hope. Though we have sinned and thus deserve endless misery in this life and then the pains of hell forever, God has not abandoned us. He has worked redemption for us – which will be explained in the next section of the catechism – which covers how God has delivered us from our sin and misery through Christ.
Additional Questions:
Did God just forget about us because of our sin?
Did God just condemn us to remain in sin?
Did God just forget about us and condemn us to sin and misery?
Did God just let all mankind remain in sin?
Will God just let everyone suffer and go to hell?
Scripture References:
Exodus 34:6-7
And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.”
Psalm 86:15
But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.
Psalm 103:6-8
The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. 7 He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel: 8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
Micah 7:18-20
Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. 19 You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea. 20 You will be true to Jacob, and show mercy to Abraham, as you pledged on oath to our fathers in days long ago.
John 3:16-18
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
Romans 3:20-26
Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. 21 But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished– 26 he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
Ephesians 1:7-8
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.
Questions for Further Discussion:
How do God’s holiness, love, and integrity work together to provide redemption and forgiveness?
How are God’s holiness, love, and integrity seen in the verses shown above? Can you see where each of these perfections of God’s character is seen in each set of verses?
Why does God’s holiness demand that He judge sin? Why does His love demand that He judge sin? Why does His integrity demand that He judge sin?
Why does God’s holiness demand that He forgive sin? Why does His love demand that He forgive sin? Why does His integrity demand that He forgive sin?
Additional Information:
This question is based on question 11 of the Heidelberg Catechism, and question 20 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism. Any resources you find on the Heidelberg or Westminster Shorter Catechisms will have a good discussion on this question.
For additional information, see the teachings “What Is God’s Character Like” (September 29, 2019), “Our Redemption in Christ (God’s Saving Grace)” (May 20, 2007)and “Yahweh – The Name of Our Covenant God” (August 2, 2009).
Suggested Worship Song:
Let Us Love and Sing and Wonder (by John Newton – 1774, scripture I Cor. 6:11, 20, Rev. 1:5)
Let us love and sing and wonder
Let us praise the Savior’s name
He has hushed the law’s loud thunder
He has quenched Mount Sinai’s flame
He has washed us with His blood He has washed us with His blood
He has washed us with His blood He has brought us nigh to God
Let us love the Lord Who bought us
Pitied us when enemies
Called us by His grace and taught us
Gave us ears and gave us eyes
He has washed us with His blood He has washed us with His blood
He has washed us with His blood He presents our souls to God
Let us sing though fierce temptation
Threatens hard to bear us down
For the Lord, our strong salvation,
Holds in view the conqu’ror’s crown
He, Who washed us with His blood, He, Who washed us with His blood,
He, Who washed us with His blood, Soon will bring us home to God
Let us wonder grace and justice
Join and point to mercy’s store
When through grace in Christ our trust is
Justice smiles and asks no more
He Who washed us with His blood
He Who washed us with His blood
He Who washed us with His blood
Has secured our way to God
Let us praise and join the chorus
Of the saints enthroned on high
Here they trusted Him before us
Now their praises fill the sky
Thou hast washed us with Thy blood
Thou hast washed us with Thy blood
Thou hast washed us with Thy blood
Thou art worthy Lamb of God