What Should We Do to Escape God's Wrath and Curse?

"Q. 85. What doth God require of us that we may escape his wrath and curse due to us for sin?
A. To escape the wrath and curse of God due to us for sin, God requireth of us faith in Jesus Christ, repentance unto life, with the diligent use of all the outward means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption."
(Westminster Shorter Catechism)

Since every sin deserves God’s wrath and curse, and each of us have sinned, the question that arises is how may we escape from God’s wrath and curse? This is what the people asked the apostles on the day of Pentecost, “Brothers, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). Or as the Philippian jailer asked Paul and Silas, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30). The answers can be found in Acts 2:38–42 and Acts 16:31–33 and are summarized by this catechism question. Here are a few questions and answers of my own to unfold it:

Is the gospel of salvation unconditional?

No, the gospel is not unconditional. If it was, all people would be saved. Christ and the apostles regularly offer salvation upon conditions. "Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out..." (Acts 3:19).

The gospel proclaims the saving work of God in Christ. Christ has obtained full redemption for his people through his life, death, and resurrection. The gospel also calls sinners to respond to the message and receive this salvation. Otherwise, it will not benefit them. “We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God ... Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 5:20, 6:2).

Are these conditions, duties?

Yes, we are commanded to repent (Acts 17:30) and to believe in Jesus Christ (1 John 3:23) and to diligently use the outward means of grace (Ps. 79:6, Prov. 1:24-26). People ought to “obey the gospel” by receiving it in this way (Rom. 10:16, 2 Thess. 1:8, 1 Peter 4:17).

Man’s duty is obedience to God’s revealed will. The rule which God first revealed to man for his obedience is the moral law. But the moral law reveals man’s sin and need for salvation. The second part of his revealed will (and thus, our duty) is what he requires of us that we may escape his wrath and curse. God tells everyone to do these things.

What is the first thing that God requires of us that we may be saved?

Faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31, John 3:16). We must receive and rest upon Christ for salvation, as he is offered in the gospel.

Why is this a condition?

Because by faith in Christ we are linked to him and receive a share in him (John 6:35, Eph. 3:17). By faith, and only by faith, we receive the righteousness of Christ (Rom 3, Phil. 3:9, Eph. 2:8).

What is the second thing that God requires of us that we may be saved?

Repentance unto life (Acts 2:38, 3:19). We must turn from sin unto God, purposing and endeavoring after new obedience.

Why is this a condition?

Because repentance is necessarily joined with saving faith, and also because it befits those who will be saved and the purpose of salvation.

Must we repent before we believe? Or believe before we repent?

No, saving faith and repentance unto life are a united response. Each is inseparable from the other. They are exercised together.

What is the third thing that is required with these other two?

The diligent use of all the outward means by which Christ gives to us the benefits of redemption (1 Peter 2:2, Acts 22:16). We must diligently make use of the preaching and reading of Scripture, the sacraments, and prayer.

Why is this a condition?

Because faith, produced in our hearts by the Spirit, "is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the Word, by which also, and by the administration of the sacraments, and prayer, it is increased and strengthened" (WCF 14.1, see Rom. 10:14, 17, 1 Peter 2:2, Rom. 4:11, Luke 17:5). 

Is the use of the sacraments absolutely necessary for a person to be saved?

No, since they are given to confirm grace and strengthen and exercise faith. Grace and salvation is not so inseparably annexed to the sacraments as that no person can be saved without them (WCF 28:5). Nevertheless, we are told to use the sacraments in order to be saved in places like Acts 2:38 and 22:16 because they are ordinary means by which God sustains and preserves us through faith unto salvation.

Does faith, repentance, and use of outward means satisfy the justice of God or fulfill the penalty of the broken law?

No, they do not. Only the satisfaction and obedience of Christ can satisfy divine justice and fulfill the demands of the law of God. We must not trust in our faith or repentance or use of means, but only in Christ. Yet, as John Thompson wrote, "they are the terms and conditions, by the performance of which, by the gospel promises, we may hope for the benefit of Christ’s obedience, which he performed to the law of God, in behalf of all those, who, by grace and assistance of the Holy Spirit, are enabled truly to perform them. John 3:18, Acts 2:37" (An Explication of the Shorter Catechism).

How are we able to do these things?

Through the power of the Spirit. Faith and repentance are saving graces, produced by God in the hearts of the elect (Eph. 2:8, Acts 11:18). We have nothing to boast of, but give glory to God even for the faith and repentance we exercise.

Do all those who do these things escape God’s wrath and curse?

Yes, there is no condemnation for those who repent and believe in the Lord Jesus. They have passed from death into life (John 5:24, Rom. 8:1).

Must we wait until we feel the Spirit moving us before doing these things?

No, we are called to do these things without delay. The Spirit’s work is known after the fact, from the effect of his work. The Spirit works through our mind and will, which we must exercise to embrace Christ (Phil. 2:12-13).

Must we wait until we know we are elect or regenerate before we do these things?

No, we only know if we are regenerate by whether we have done these things. All men everywhere are told to repent and believe, not just the regenerate or the elect. We only know we are regenerate and elect after we have repented and believed.

Is it legalistic to tell the natural man to diligently use the ministry of the word and prayer?

No, Peter exhorted Simon the sorcerer to repent and pray to God (Acts 8:22). It is through the word of God, read and preached, that people are effectually called by God to salvation (1 Cor. 2, Rom. 10).