Hebrews 9:15
The Only Haven of Safety
It is now easy to understand the doctrine of the law: God, as our Creator, is entitled to be regarded as a Father and Master and should, accordingly, receive fear, love, reverence, and glory. For indeed, we are not our own, to follow whatever course passion dictates, but are bound to obey him implicitly and to comply entirely in his good pleasure. Again, the Law teaches that justice and rectitude are a delight, injustice an abomination to him, and therefore, as we would not with impious ingratitude revolt from our Maker our whole life must be spent in the cultivation of righteousness. We cannot be permitted to measure the glory of God by our ability. Whatever we may be, he ever remains like himself—the friend of righteousness, and whatever his demands from us may be, as he can only require what is right, we are necessarily under a natural obligation to obey. Our inability to do so is our own fault.
Contrasting our conduct with the righteousness of the Law, we see how very far it is from being in accordance with the will of God, and, therefore, how unworthy we are of holding our place among his creatures, far less of being accounted his sons. Moreover, taking a survey of our powers, we see that they are not only unequal to fulfill the Law, but are altogether null. The necessary consequence must be to produce distrust of our own ability, and also anxiety and trepidation of mind. Conscience cannot feel the burden of its guilt, without beforehand turning to the judgment of God, while the view of this judgment cannot fail to excite a dread of death. In like manner, the proofs of our utter powerlessness must instantly cause despair of our own strength. Both feelings are productive of humility and embarrassment, and hence the sinner, terrified at the prospect of eternal death (which he sees justly impending over him for his iniquities) turns to the mercy of God as the only haven of safety.
Readings taken from Day by Day With John Calvin
The Only Haven of Safety
It is now easy to understand the doctrine of the law: God, as our Creator, is entitled to be regarded as a Father and Master and should, accordingly, receive fear, love, reverence, and glory. For indeed, we are not our own, to follow whatever course passion dictates, but are bound to obey him implicitly and to comply entirely in his good pleasure. Again, the Law teaches that justice and rectitude are a delight, injustice an abomination to him, and therefore, as we would not with impious ingratitude revolt from our Maker our whole life must be spent in the cultivation of righteousness. We cannot be permitted to measure the glory of God by our ability. Whatever we may be, he ever remains like himself—the friend of righteousness, and whatever his demands from us may be, as he can only require what is right, we are necessarily under a natural obligation to obey. Our inability to do so is our own fault.
Contrasting our conduct with the righteousness of the Law, we see how very far it is from being in accordance with the will of God, and, therefore, how unworthy we are of holding our place among his creatures, far less of being accounted his sons. Moreover, taking a survey of our powers, we see that they are not only unequal to fulfill the Law, but are altogether null. The necessary consequence must be to produce distrust of our own ability, and also anxiety and trepidation of mind. Conscience cannot feel the burden of its guilt, without beforehand turning to the judgment of God, while the view of this judgment cannot fail to excite a dread of death. In like manner, the proofs of our utter powerlessness must instantly cause despair of our own strength. Both feelings are productive of humility and embarrassment, and hence the sinner, terrified at the prospect of eternal death (which he sees justly impending over him for his iniquities) turns to the mercy of God as the only haven of safety.
Readings taken from Day by Day With John Calvin
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