Romans 8:28
28 We know that all things work together or good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
Reflection: Heidelberg Catechism: Question #1
Written By: Pastor Jesse Caro
Question: What is your only comfort
in life and in death?
Answer: That I am not my own but belong body and soul, in life and in death to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ.
I was talking to a dear lady at our church last night and the Heidelberg Catechism came up, even as I was talking with her about the Rooted focus on the Westminster Catechism. I told her that I would write a Rooted devotion today out of the Heidelberg Catechism (which I have actually done before). I, being a man of my word, am now fulfilling that promise. The Heidelberg Catechism predates the Westminster Catechism by a few years and has the distinction of greatly influencing the Westminster Catechism. So, today we pause for a day, and reflect on Question #1 of this noteworthy catechism.
I love question #1 here: what is our comfort in life and death! Answer: Jesus Christ. It is saying the same thing as the Westminster (What is the chief end [goal, purpose] of man? To glorify God). In both cases, the catechisms start with a question like: “What is the main thing?” Christ! To glorify God! The Heidelberg says it, I think, more cleverly: what is your hope built on in this life and in the life to come? Jesus!! But I also love how Westminster begins its catechism. And I am challenged as I contemplate both catechisms that the church (you and me) may need to do a better job and spell this out for a lost and dying world. We need to be saying to those we love, “listen… Christ is the point!” “If you are living for yourself, then you are going to be miserable in this life and in the one to come.” We need to be passionate in our declaration that God is worth living for… that He is all we need. This is a top priority.
Prayer
Lord, may we be vocal with the people that you in our influence to tell them that you are worth giving a life to. That you love us and that there is no greater friendship than friendship with God.
