Heidelberg Catechism: 'What is the dying away of the old nature?'
LORD’S DAY 33
88. In how many things does true repentance or conversion consist?In two things: the dying away of the old nature, and the coming to life of the new.1
1 Rom 6:1-11; 1 Cor 5:7; 2 Cor 5:17; Eph 4:22-24; Co 3:5-10
89. What is the dying away of the old nature?
It is heartfelt sorrow for sin; causing us to hate and turn from it always more and more.1
1 Ps 51:3-4, 17; Joel 2:12-13; Rom 8:12-13; 2 Cor 7:10
90. What is the coming to life the new nature?
It is heartfelt joy in God;1 causing us to take delight in living according to the will of God in all good works.2
1 Ps 51:8, 12; Isa 57:15; Rom 5:1, 14:17; 2 Rom 6:10-11; Gal 2:20
91. But what are good works?
Only those which are done from true faith,1 according to the Law of God,2 for His glory;3 and not those based on our own opinion, or the commandments of men.4
1 Jn 15:5; Rom 14:23; Heb 11:6; 2 Lev 18:4; 1 Sam 15:22; Eph 2:10; 3 1 Cor 10:31; 4 Deut 12:32; Ezek 20:18-19; Mt 15:7-9
