Faith Defined and Explained | John Calvin

Deep Dive into Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin - Faith: Its Definition Set Forth, and Its Properties ExplainedTrue faith is fundamentally distinct from false faith or mere opinion. At its core, true faith is a firm and certain knowledge of God’s benevolence toward us, founded upon the truth of the freely given promise in Christ. This is a sure and secure possession and undoubted expectation of salvation that brings confidence, boldness, and peace before God. It is a higher knowledge, consisting in assurance rather than comprehension, grounded in a preconceived conviction of God's truth and His will toward us as revealed in His Word, centered on Christ.This certainty is a singular gift of God, revealed to our minds and sealed upon our hearts through the Holy Spirit. The Spirit illuminates the mind to taste God's truth and strengthens the heart to receive and hold onto His promises. True faith takes root in the depth of the heart, being more of the heart than of the brain. It involves a devout disposition, engenders hope, and engenders love. True faith perseveres through trials and ultimately triumphs over doubt and temptation. It engrafts us into Christ's body, making us one with Him.In contrast, false faith is mere opinion or persuasion. It can be an obscure and confused conception or uncertain credulity that flits about in the top of the brain but does not penetrate to the heart. Forms of false faith include the "implicit faith" of the Schoolmen, which rests on ignorance and blind submission to the church rather than knowledge of God and Christ. Temporary faith may involve a momentary awareness of grace or a taste of heavenly gifts, even appearing in the reprobate, but it lacks the sure light of faith sealed by the Spirit and has no living roots. It eventually vanishes and does not endure. Unlike true faith which leads to confidence and peace, false faith is associated with anxiety and doubting. It lacks the vital union with Christ and the perseverance of true, Spirit-wrought belief.Reformed Theologian GPT: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-XXwzX1gnv-reformed-theologianPatreon: patreon.com/edi_reformed