Against the persecution of a tyrant the godly have no remedy but prayer.
John CalvinRead
A man will be justified by faith when, excluded from righteousness of works, he by faith lays hold of the righteousness of Christ, and clothed in it, appears in the sight of God not as a sinner, but as righteous.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes that faith, rather than personal deeds, is what leads to righteousness in the eyes of God.
John Calvin articulates the central tenet of justification by faith, asserting that humans are not made righteous through their own works, but rather through their faith in Christ. This belief highlights the transformative power of faith, which allows individuals to be viewed as righteous by God, despite their sins, underscoring the grace and mercy inherent in Christian theology.
Themes
FaithRighteousnessJustificationGraceChrist
In practice
Example use cases
During a sermon on the nature of salvation and grace.
More from John Calvin
All quotes βThe pastor ought to have two voices: one, for gathering the sheep; and another, for warding off and driving away wolves and thieves. The Scripture supplies him with the means of doing both.
John CalvinRead
Man is never sufficiently touched and affected by the awareness of his lowly state until he has compared himself with God's majesty.
John CalvinRead
Whomever the Lord has adopted and deemed worthy of His fellowship ought to prepare themselves for a hard, toilsome, and unquiet life, crammed with very many and various kinds of evil.
John CalvinRead
For as the aged, or those whose sight is defective, when any book, however fair, is set before them, though they perceive that there is something written, are scarcely able to make out two consecutive words, but, when aided by glasses, begin to read distinctly, so Scripture, gathering together the impressions of Deity, which, till then, lay confused in our minds, dissipates the darkness, and shows us the true God clearly.
John CalvinRead
When God wants to judge a nation, He gives them wicked rulers.
John CalvinRead
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