External Christianity is Not Enough
Many may think of John Calvin as a walking brain. But they tend to overlook his tender heart for God and His gospel.
John Calvin (1509–1564) was a world-class theologian, a renowned teacher, an ecclesiastical statesman, and a valiant Reformer. Calvin is considered the greatest influence on the church since the first century. Charles Spurgeon said that Calvin “propounded truth more clearly than any other man that ever breathed, knew more of Scripture, and explained it more clearly.”
In the Golden Booklet of the True Christian Life, John Calvin writes:
External Christianity is not enough.
1. Let us ask those who possess nothing but church membership, and yet want to be called Christians, how can they glory in the sacred name of Christ?
For no one has any communion with Christ but he who has received the true knowledge of him from the word of the gospel.
The apostle denies that anyone actually knows Christ who has not learned the put off the old man, corrupt with deceitful lusts, and to put on Christ.
External knowledge of Christ is found to be only a false and dangerous make-believe, however eloquently, and freely lip servants may talk about the gospel.
2. The gospel is not a doctrine of the tongue, but of life.
It cannot be grasped by reason and memory only, but it is fully understood when it possesses the whole soul and penetrates to the inner recesses of the heart.
Let nominal Christians cease from insulting God by boasting themselves to be what they are not, and let them show themselves disciples not unworthy of Christ, their Master.
We must assign first place to the knowledge of our religion, for that is the beginning of our salvation.
But our religion will be unprofitable if it does not change our heart, pervade our manners, and transform us into new creatures.
3. The philosophers rightly condemn and banish with disgrace from their company those who profess to know the art of life, but who are in reality vain babblers.
With much better reason Christians ought to detest those who have the gospel on their lips but not in their hearts.
The exhortations of the philosophers are cold and lifeless if compared with the convictions, affections, and boundless energy of the real believers (Eph. 4:22).
Spiritual progress is necessary.
1. We should not insist on absolute perfection of the gospel in our fellow Christians, however much we may strive for it ourselves.
It would be unfair to demand evangelical perfection before we acknowledge anyone as a Christian.
There would be no church if we set a standard of absolute perfection, for the best of us are still far from the ideal, and we would have to reject many who have made only small progress.
2. Perfection must be the final mark at which we aim, and the goal for which we strive.
It is not lawful for you to make a compromise with God: to try to fulfill part of your duties and to omit others at your own pleasure.
The Lord first of all wants sincerity in his service, simplicity of heart without guile or falsehood.
A double mind is in conflict with the spiritual life, for this implies an unfeigned devotion to God in the search for holiness and righteousness . . .
Let us not cease to do the utmost, that we may incessantly go forward in the way of the Lord: and let us not despair because of the smallness of our accomplishment. Though we fall short, our labor is not lost if this day surpasses the preceding one.