The start of the second part of the Catechism—on believers' redemption in Christ—might not seem as invigorating as you would expect. It feels tenuous as it explores the possibility of redemption.
But even the possibility of redemption is good news for those who truly understand their sin and misery. We too easily take Jesus for granted. "Jesus saves" is old news even for many who say they believe it. "Of course he does; why wouldn't he?"
There is something good about getting to Jesus the way the catechism does. It is like how the Bible gets to Jesus. The promise of redemption comes early in Scripture. But the Old Testament is an extended study on human misery. The flood, the purging of idolaters from the Land of Canaan, the cycles of sin and judgment in the time of the judges and the kings, and the exile of God's people in Assyria and Babylon are just a few examples of how tenuous salvation appeared before the coming of Christ. Two of the main messages of the Old Testament are these: People are so bad! And God is faithful in executing justice.
Salvation didn't come easily or quickly on God's timeline. Prior to the gift of Jesus God made it abundantly clear: For people to be saved God would have to powerfully intervene. He has! But never forget the total impossibility of salvation in any other way than Jesus.
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