Questions 29-30: Redemption Applied

Question 29: How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ?

Answer: We are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ, by the effectual application of it to us by his Holy Spirit.

Question 30: How doth the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ?

Answer: The Spirit applieth to us the redemption purchased by Christ, by working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling.

The last several questions of the catechism have been taken up with the person and work of Jesus Christ. We have learned who he is, what he has done, what he continues to do, and what he will do. But all of this study necessarily draws us to questions about ourselves. How do we know we know if Jesus did and does all of that for us? This is the topic these questions introduce.

First, we are reminded that we must be partakers of redemption. Christianity does not teach universalism. Scripture is clear that some will be saved and others will be condemned (Matthew 25:46). If we are not partakers of redemption, then Christ will judge us rather than save us at the last day. With this in mind, there are two things that are necessary for us to become partakers of redemption: the work of the Holy Spirit and union with Christ. The work of the Holy Spirit is explained in question 31, and faith which is the means to union with Christ is explained in question 86, but the topic of union with Christ is worth meditating on further now.

Union with Christ is at the very heart of what it means to "partake" in salvation. We belong to Christ, and he to us. This union has benefits, which the catechism will go on to enumerate. Apart from him, there are no benefits, and in him, we have every blessing in the heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3-14). But these benefits should not be confused with Christ himself. Christ, not his benefits, are the prize of salvation. Christ, not his benefits, is the one whom we love. Paul displays this powerfully in his passionate statement in Philippians 3:7-11. "But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own which comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness of God that depends on faith - that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead."