Humble Obedience
“I think fundamentally you would have known that you were in the presence of a man who was in the presence of God. There would have been a true reverence that was evident, not just in his approach, but in the way that he handles the text. He is concerned not to introduce any of his own notions, but rather to discover what God has said.”
― Jeremy Walker, PURITAN: All of Life to the Glory of God
Many may think of John Calvin as a walking brain. But they tend to overlook his tender heart for God and His gospel. In fact, his Golden Booklet of the True Christian Life is full of warm indictments for the believer to turn to Christ, embrace Him, and seek Him continually.
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.”
John Calvin writes in Golden Booklet of the True Christian Life:
Scripture is the rule of life.
A. The goal of the new life is that God’s children exhibit melody and harmony in their conduct. What melody? The song of God’s justice. What harmony? The harmony between God’s righteousness and our obedience.
Only if we walk in the beauty of God’s law do we become sure of our adoption as children of the Father.
The law of God contains in itself the dynamic of the new life by which his image is fully restored in us; but by nature we are sluggish, and, therefore, we need to be stimulated, aided in our efforts by a guiding principle.
A sincere repentance from the heart does not guarantee that we shall not wander from the straight path and sometimes become bewildered.
Let us then search Scripture to find the root principle for the reformation of our life.
B. Scripture contains a great number of exhortations, and to discuss them all would fill a large volume.
The church fathers have written big works on the virtues without prating; even a scholarly treatise cannot exhaust the profundity of one virtue.
For true devotion, however, it is not necessary to read the excellent works of the church fathers, but only to understand the one basic rule of the Bible.
C. No one should draw the conclusion that the brevity of one treatise on Christian conduct makes the elaborate discussion of others superfluous, or that philosophy has no value.
Philosophers, however, are accustomed to speak of general principles and specific rules, but Scripture has an order all its own.
Philosophers are ambitious, and, therefore, aim at exquisite clarity and dexterous ingenuity; but Scripture has a beautiful conciseness, and a certainty which excels all philosophers.
Philosophers often make a show of affectation, but the Holy Spirit has a different method [direct and plainspoken] which ought not to be neglected.
2. Holiness is the key principle.
A. The plan of Scripture for a Christian walk is twofold: first, that we be instructed in the law to love righteousness, because by nature we are not inclined to do so; second, that we be shown a simple rule that we may not waver in our race.
Of the many excellent recommendations, is there any better than the key principle: Be thou holy, for I am holy?
When we were dispersed like scattered sheep, and lost in the labyrinth of the world, Christ gathered us together again, that he might bring us back to himself.
B. When we hear any mention of our mystical union with Christ, we should remember that holiness is the channel to it.
Holiness is not a merit by which we can attain communion with God, but a gift of Christ, which enables us to cling to him, and to follow him.
It is God’s own glory that he cannot have anything to do with iniquity and uncleanness, therefore, we must keep this in mind if we desire to pay attention to his invitation.
For why were we delivered from the quagmire of iniquity and pollution of this world, if we want to wallow in it as long as we live?
God’s holiness admonishes us that we must inhabit the holy city of Jerusalem if we wish to belong to the people of God.
Jerusalem is hallowed ground, therefore it cannot be profaned by impure inhabitants.
The Psalmist says, “This one shall abide in the tabernacle of the Lord who walks uprightly and works righteousness.”
The sanctuary of the Holy One must be kept immaculate (Lev. 19:2; 1 Pet. 1:16; Isa. 35:10; Ps. 15:1-2; 24:3-4).
3. Holiness means full obedience to Christ.
A. Scripture does not only show the principle of holiness, but also that Christ is the way to it.
Because the Father has reconciled us to himself in Christ, therefore he commands us to be conformed to Christ as our pattern.
Let those who think that philosophers have the only just and orderly system of morality show us a more excellent plan than to obey and follow Christ.
The sublimest virtue according to philosophers is to live the life of nature, but Scripture points us to the perfect Christ as our example.
We should exhibit the character of Christ in our lives, for what can be more effective than this one stirring consideration? Indeed, what can be required besides?
B. The Lord has adopted us to be his children on this condition that we reveal an imitation of Christ who is the mediator of our adoption.
Unless we ardently and prayerfully devote ourselves to Christ’s righteousness we do not only faithlessly revolt from our Creator, but we also abjure him as our Savior.
C. Scripture accompanies its exhortations with the promise of God’s countless blessings and of the all-embracing salvation he grants us.
Therefore, since God has revealed himself as a Father, we would be guilty of the basest ingratitude if we did not behave as his children.
Since Christ has purified us through the baptism in his blood, we should not become defiled by fresh pollution.
Since Christ has united us to his body as his members, we should be anxious not to disgrace him by any blemish.
Since Christ, our Head, has ascended to heaven, we should leave our carnal desires behind and lift our hearts upward to him.
Since the Holy Spirit has dedicated us as temples of God, we should exert ourselves not to profane his sanctuary, but to display his glory.