What doth God require of us, that we may escape his wrath and curse due to us by reason of the transgression of the law?
That we may escape the wrath and curse of God due to us by reason of the transgression of the law, he requireth of us repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ,1 and the diligent use of the outward means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of his mediation.2
Scripture proofs
The Westminster Assembly's proof texts (KJV). The bracketed numbers in the answer above mark the clause each set of references supports; expand a row to read the verses.
1 Acts 16:30–31; Acts 20:21; Matt. 3:7–8; Luke 13:3, 5; John 3:16, 18
Acts 16:30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
Matt. 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
Matt. 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
Luke 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Luke 13:5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
2 Prov. 2:1–5; Prov. 8:33–36
Prov. 2:1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
Prov. 2:2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
Prov. 2:3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
Prov. 2:4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
Prov. 2:5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
Prov. 8:33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
Prov. 8:34 Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
Prov. 8:35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.
Prov. 8:36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.
This doctrine across the Standards
Where the Confession and the Westminster Shorter Catechism treat the same matter, so the question can be studied alongside its parallel statements.
In the Westminster Confession
XI.2 Faith, thus receiving and resting on Christ and his righteousness, is the alone instrument of justification; yet is …
Faith, thus receiving and resting on Christ and his righteousness, is the alone instrument of justification; yet is it not alone in the person justified, but is ever accompanied with all other saving graces, and is no dead faith, but worketh by love.
→ XI.2 · Of JustificationXIV.1 The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls, is …
The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls, is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts, and 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.
→ XIV.1 · Of Saving FaithXIV.2 By this faith a Christian believeth to be true whatsoever is revealed in the Word, for the authority …
By this faith a Christian believeth to be true whatsoever is revealed in the Word, for the authority of God himself speaking therein; and acteth differently upon that which each particular passage thereof containeth; yielding obedience to the commands, trembling at the threatenings, and embracing the promises of God for this life and that which is to come. But the principal acts of saving faith are accepting, receiving, and resting upon Christ alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life, by virtue of the covenant of grace.
→ XIV.2 · Of Saving FaithXIV.3 This faith is different in degrees, weak or strong; may be often and many ways assailed and weakened, …
This faith is different in degrees, weak or strong; may be often and many ways assailed and weakened, but gets the victory; growing up in many to the attainment of a full assurance through Christ, who is both the author and finisher of our faith.
→ XIV.3 · Of Saving FaithIn the Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q.85 What doth God require of us, that we may escape his wrath and curse, due to us for sin?
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.
→ Open Q.85Q.86 What is faith in Jesus Christ?
Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace, whereby we receive and rest upon him alone for salvation, as he is offered to us in the gospel.
→ Open Q.86