Bearing the Cross: A Part of Self-Denial | John Calvin

Deep Dive into Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin - Bearing the Cross, a Part of Self-DenialFor Christians, "bearing the cross" is a fundamental aspect of faith, signifying a hard, toilsome, and often difficult life filled with various evils. This is not an arbitrary suffering but a divinely ordained process intended to conform believers to Christ, who himself endured a "perpetual cross" and "learned obedience through what he suffered". By sharing in Christ's sufferings, believers confirm their fellowship with Him and are led through tribulations to heavenly glory, just as He was.God allows suffering for multiple profound purposes. Primarily, it serves to humble believers, exposing their natural inclination to self-reliance and "stupid and empty confidence in the flesh". Afflictions like poverty or disease reveal human "incapacity and frailty," teaching believers to distrust themselves and transfer their trust solely to God. The cross also tests and manifests God-given graces, especially patience and obedience, ensuring these virtues are put to use. It acts as a "remedy" to curb fleshly impulses, preventing pride and keeping believers submitted to God's will. Furthermore, suffering is a fatherly chastisement for correction, confirming believers as legitimate children and promoting their salvation. Through this process, hope is strengthened as believers experience God's faithful assistance.Christian patience stands in stark contrast to the Stoic ideal of insensibility. It is not the absence of feeling bitterness and pain; Christians are permitted to groan, weep, and feel sorrow, as Christ himself did. Instead, Christian patience involves a struggle where the natural feeling of sorrow is met with a "disposition to godliness" that presses toward obedience. Endurance stems from recognizing God's righteous will and providence in all afflictions, understanding that resistance would be "insolence against God’s righteousness". This acceptance, recognizing suffering as being "for our salvation and good," allows the bitterness of the cross to be tempered with spiritual joy and thanksgiving.Reformed Theologian GPT: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-XXwzX1gnv-reformed-theologianhttps://buymeacoffee.com/edi2730