Against the persecution of a tyrant the godly have no remedy but prayer.
John CalvinRead
In the maxims of the law, God is seen as the rewarder of perfect righteousness and the avenger of sin. But in Christ, His face shines out, full of grace and gentleness to poor, unworthy sinners.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote contrasts the harsh justice of the law with the grace offered through Christ.
John Calvin highlights the difference between the strict legalistic view of God as a strict enforcer of righteousness, who punishes sin, and the compassionate nature of God revealed through Christ, who offers grace and kindness to those who are imperfect. This suggests a shift from an emphasis on law and punishment to one of love and forgiveness, underscoring the transformative power of Christ's message for all sinners.
Themes
GraceRighteousnessSinForgivenessChrist
In practice
Example use cases
In a sermon on God's grace, one could use this quote to illustrate the compassionate nature of God.
More from John Calvin
All quotes →The 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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