The order of justification which it sets before us in this: first, God of His mere gratuitous goodness is pleased to embrace the sinner, in whom he can sees nothing that can move him to mercy but wretchedness, because he sees him altogether naked and destitute of good works. He, therefore, finds the cause of kindness in himself, that thus he may affect the sinner by a sense of his goodness, and induce him, in distrust of his own works, to cast himself entirely upon his mercy for salvation.
John Calvin, 1509-1564, Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book III, Chapter XI, 16 (translated by Henry Beverage, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publlishing, 1973, Vol. 2, p. 53)
What are the implications of our own unworthiness to be saved? How should it affect our Christian life?
The goodness of God leads us to repent as we respond to the Holy Spirit.
ReplyDeleteI agree, it is God's kindness that brings us to repentance.
Delete