Cheer up, you're worse than than you think

Heidelberg Catechism

Question 3: From where do you know your misery?
Answer:  From the Law of God.[1]

Question 4: What does the Law of God require of us?
Answer:  Christ teaches us that briefly in Matthew 22:37-40: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.[1] This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, You shall love your neighbour as yourself.[2] On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."[3]

Question 5: Can you keep all these things perfectly?
Answer:  In no way,[1] for I am prone by nature to hate God and my neighbour.[2]
 

• How do you defend yourself against unjustified criticism directed at you?  Do you endlessly play your imaginary defence over and over in your head until you can breath again?

• The Gospel actually teaches a different way - one that frees us instead.  

• The law of God teaches that most of the criticism we receive is justified - in fact, we are far worse than our 'enemies' will make us out to be.  We don't only sometimes hurt others - no, by nature we actually hate them...   

• And although this doesn't sounds like good news at all - it is the Gospel.  Why?  Because Christ knew everything there is to know about us - our natural hatred of him and our fellow man - and He still died for us!  

• It is understanding and experiencing this kind of love that empowers believers to love the way they should... freely and unconditionally.      

Bible 
So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Romans 7:21-24

Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for showing me how far I fall short of your requirements.  Thank you that you that you didn't stop there.  You died the death I was supposed to die to give me the life you deserved.  For that want to love and worship you for an eternity.  Amen.

Regards
Kruger

Here are the Scripture references to the above question and answer in the Heidelberg Catechism.  Feel free to look them up and ask questions about them - some are not that clear!  
Question 3:[1] Rom 3:20, 7:7
Question 4:[1] Deut 6:5; [2] Lev 19:18; Gal 5:14; [3] Lk 10:27
Question 5:[1] Rom 3:10-12, 23; 1 Jn 1:8, 10; [2] Gen 6:5, 8:21; Jer 17:9; Rom 7:23,8:7; Eph 2:3; Tit 2:3