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Psalm 4:3
Memorise 2 Peter 2:9
“…for we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works…”

John Calvin was a prominent and influential French theologian who lived in the time of the Reformation. He was widely regarded as one of the most significant architects of the Reformation movement. Calvin was blessed with a brilliant mind, and was responsible for establishing many of the great doctrines of the Christian faith in writing and teaching. For much of his life, he also served as a pastor in Geneva, Switzerland. Calvin is famous for several key contributions. When he was 26, he published a book named the Institutes of Christian Religion. This was revised several times, and became one of the greatest and most famous theological books ever written. In his lifetime, he also published commentaries on nearly every book of the Bible. In terms of his doctrine, Calvin is also famous for establishing from Scripture the doctrine of predestination, systematised after his death into the 5 points of Calvinism through the acronym “TULIP”. Truly, he was a one “that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself” (Psalm 4:3).

In terms of his personality, Calvin was a quiet and introverted sort of person who desired to spend his life in quiet study and writing. However, the Lord had other plans for him. God used him despite his character and called him to do many things he might not have naturally chosen to do. During his time, many Protestants were being martyred for their faith and their reputations slandered as the Roman Catholic church tried very hard to stop the Protestant movement. Calvin could not stand to see this continue. He said “A dog barks when his master is attacked. I would be a coward if I saw that God’s truth is attacked and yet would remain silent.” Despite his weaknesses, he stepped forward and wrote and taught against the Vatican. Because of His love for God and His children, Calvin sacrificed his comfort and freedom to suffer for Christ’s sake. Through it all, I am sure his assurance was as the Psalmist who said “the Lord will hear when I call unto him” (Psalm 4:3b). Already weakened by illness, his last sermon was preached with such passion that he coughed out blood. The Lord took him home shortly after.

May we likewise be prepared to be used by God in any capacity that He calls us to. Like Calvin, we have our own human weaknesses, but may we have our confidence in God instead.

Thought: “Humility, humility, humility” – John Calvin.
Prayer: Father, may I be inspired to be faithful too.