Calvin's Institutes: June 9

Podcast SummaryIn this reading from John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 3, Chapter 18, Sections 8–10, Calvin continues defending justification by faith alone against several common objections. He argues that although charity is greater than faith in certain respects, it does not therefore justify. Faith justifies not because it is a superior work, but because it is the instrument by which believers receive the mercy of God and the righteousness of Christ. Calvin then addresses Christ’s command to the rich young ruler to keep the commandments, explaining that Jesus was exposing the man's confidence in works and driving him toward the realization that he could not attain righteousness through the law. Finally, Calvin answers the claim that a good work can offset sin before God. He insists that righteousness by works would require perfect and uninterrupted obedience throughout one's entire life, while a single violation of God's law brings guilt. Thus the law shuts every person up to the need for Christ, and the only remedy for sinners is to flee from their own righteousness to the righteousness offered through faith in Him.Today's ReadingJohn Calvin — Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 3, Chapter 18, Sections 8–10Explore the Project:Through the Church Fathers – https://www.throughthechurchfathers.comPatreon – https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpattonCredo Courses – https://www.credocourses.comCredo Ministries – https://www.credoministries.org#JohnCalvin #InstitutesOfTheChristianReligion #JustificationByFaith #FaithAlone #GraceAlone #CharityAndFaith #RichYoungRuler #RighteousnessOfChrist #ReformedTheology #ChristianTheology #HistoricalTheology #ChurchHistory #ThroughTheChurchFathers #CredoMinistries #ChristianDiscipleship #SolaFide #SolaGratia #CalvinStudies #LawAndGospel #TheologyInDepth