Category: Catechisms

When our prayers are not answered

October 29, 2026

Here is another good answer to a difficult question we often face. I would encourage you to check out the passages that are linked below too…

  1. What should you remember when prayers seem to go unanswered?
    I should be certain that God always hears my prayers and answers them by his wisdom, in his own time and manner, for my good, and for his glory. (Psalm 37:3–9; Isaiah 55; Habakkuk 3:17–19; Luke 18:1–8; James 4:2–3; 1 John 5:14–15)

Source: To be a Christian #242

How does sin affect us?

July 30, 2026

Sin affects all of creation. When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, sin entered the world. And as a consequence we see its effects all around us every day.

But how does our personal sin affect us?

How does sin affect you?
Sin alienates me from God, my neighbor, God’s good creation, and myself. Apart from Christ, I am hopeless, guilty, lost, helpless, and walking in the way of death. (Genesis 3:14–19; Psalm 38; Isaiah 53:6; 59:1–2; Romans 6:20–23)

(Source: To be a Christian #3)

He will come again

May 8, 2026

Here are some more catechisms from the book “To be a Christian”. This talks about Jesus coming again.

What does the Creed mean when it says,“He will come again”?

Jesus promised that he would return (Luke 21:27–28). His coming in victory with great glory and power will be seen by all people and will bring this age to an end. The present world order will pass away, and God will usher in a fully renewed creation to stand forever. All the saints will be together with God at that time.(Proverbs 30:4; Daniel 7:13–14; Luke 21:27–28; Acts 1:10–11; 1 Thes­ salonians 4:13–18; 2 Peter 3:3–13; Revelation 21:1–4)

Can we know when Jesus will return?

No. We cannot know when Jesus will return. Jesus patiently waits for many to repent and trust in him for new life; then he will return unexpectedly, which could be at any moment. (Matthew 24:36–44; 1 Thessalonians 5:1–3)

(Source: To be a Christian. #76, #77)

Jesus is interceding for us

March 4, 2026

Have you ever wondered what Jesus is doing for us now? Jesus now sits at the right hand of the Father in heaven and He is interceding for us. Because He is praying for us, we can boldly bring our requests to the heavenly Father.

What does Jesus do for you as he sits at the Father’s right hand?

Because Jesus intercedes for us as our great high priest, I may now boldly approach the Father and offer my confessions, praises, thanksgivings, and requests to him. (Exodus 33:7–17; Psalm 80; Hebrews 4:14–16; 7:24–8:2)

(Source: To be a Christian #74)

The forgiveness of our sins

December 14, 2025

All of us sin. This is a sad reality of living in this fallen world. We do or say things we do not want to do. We also do not do the things we know are right and helpful to others and ourselves. How then, does God deal with our sins?

The book “To be a Christian” has some great thoughts on page 52…

  1. What are sins?
    Sins are intentions, acts, or failures to act that arise out of my corrupted human nature and fall short of conformity to God’s revealed will. (Psalm 53; Isaiah 59:1–15; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:23; James 4:17; 1 John 3:4–10)
  2. How does God respond to human sin?
    All sin is opposed to the righteousness of God and is therefore subject to God’s holy condemnation; yet God in his mercy offers me forgiveness and salvation from sin through his Son, Jesus Christ, the only Savior. (Psalm 130; Isaiah 1:2–4; Micah 7:18–19; John 3:17–21; Romans 1:18–2:4; 3:24–26; 5:6–10)
  3. How does God forgive your sins?
    By virtue of Christ’s atoning sacrifice, in which I put my trust, God sets aside my sins, accepts me, and adopts me as his child and heir in Jesus Christ. Loving me as his child, he forgives my sins whenever I turn to him in repentance and faith. (Leviticus 26:40–45; Psalm 78:35–39; Matthew 26:27–28; Luke 15:11–32; 2 Co­rinthians 5:16–21; Galatians 4:1–7)
  4. How should you respond to God’s forgiveness?
    Trusting in God’s continual forgiveness, I should live in continual thanks, praise, and obedience to him; and as I have been loved and forgiven by God, so I should love and forgive those who sin against me. (Psalm 51:7–17; Isaiah 44:21–23; Matthew 6:12; 18:21–35; Ephesians 4:32)

I find this really comforting to know that even though I sin, God is willing and able to forgive me because of what Jesus has done for me.