Article XXIII
The Foundation of Our Blessedness
Our blessedness is found solely in the free forgiveness of sins and the righteousness of Christ.
We believe that our blessedness lies in the forgiveness of our sins because of Jesus Christ, and that this forgiveness constitutes our righteousness before God. David and Paul teach us this when they declare blessed the person to whom God credits righteousness apart from works. And the same apostle says that we are justified freely, or by grace, through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ.
Resting in Christ's Obedience
We renounce our own merits to rely entirely on the finished work of Christ, which grants us peace before God.
That’s why we hold firmly to this foundation forever, giving all glory to God, humbling ourselves, and acknowledging ourselves as we truly are. We don't presume anything about ourselves or our merits, but rely and rest on the obedience of Christ crucified alone; that obedience becomes ours when we believe in him. His obedience is enough to cover all our iniquities and give us confidence, removing fear, horror, and dread from our conscience so that we can approach God without acting like our first father Adam, who trembled and tried to cover himself with fig leaves.
The Necessity of Divine Mercy
Recognizing our inability to stand before God on our own, we humbly plead for His mercy.
Indeed, if we had to appear before God relying even in the slightest on ourselves or on any other creature—what a terrible prospect! We would be swallowed up. That is why everyone must say with David, “O Lord, do not enter into judgment with your servants, for no living person will be justified before you.”
Read the original Latin
Nous croyons que notre béatitude gît en la rémission de nos péchés à cause de JésusChrist, et qu'en cela est contenue notre justice devant Dieu, comme David et saint Paul nous enseignent, déclarant la béatitude de l'homme, à qui Dieu alloue justice sans œuvres. Et le même Apôtre dit que nous sommes justifiés gratuitement ou par grâce, par la rédemption qui est en Jésus-Christ. C'est pourquoi nous tenons ce fondement ferme à jamais, donnant toute gloire à Dieu, en nous humiliant et reconnaissant tels que nous sommes, sans rien présumer de nous mêmes ni de nos mérites, et nous nous appuyons et reposons en la seule obéissance de Christ crucifié; laquelle est nôtre, quand nous croyons en lui. Elle est suffisante pour couvrir toutes nos iniquités, et nous rendre assurés, éloignant de notre conscience la crainte, l'horreur et l'épouvantement, pour nous approcher de Dieu sans faire comme notre premier père Adam, lequel tremblant se voulait couvrir avec des feuilles de figuier. Et de fait s'il nous fallait comparaître devant Dieu étant appuyés tant peu que ce soit sur nous, ou sur quelque autre créature, hélas! nous serions engloutis. C'est pourquoi chacun doit dire avec David: O Seigneur, n'entre point en jugement avec tes serviteurs, car devant toi homme qui vive ne sera justifié.
The Belgic Confession companion
Rule yourself daily, not just on retreat
Chosen Portion turns the mirror into a daily practice — a short reading and examining question each morning before you lead anyone.
Chosen Portion makes the mirror daily: the ruler-formation questions this collection preserves become a two-minute morning examination in the app.
- A daily formation reading drawn from centuries of counsel to those in authority
- One pointed examination question a day — two minutes, before the meetings start
- Track your practice over weeks and watch the examined life become a habit