“The fruit of the Spirit is the only satisfactory evidence of a man or woman being a true Christian. The disciple that ‘abides in Christ,’ like a branch abiding in the vine, will always bear fruit. Repentance toward God, faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, holiness of life and conduct – these are what the New Testament calls ‘fruit’. Where these things are lacking, it is vain to talk of possessing dormant grace and spiritual life.”
J C Ryle
Faith & Hope
Accordingly, in brief, hope is nothing else than the expectation of those things which faith has believed to have been truly promised by God. Thus, faith believes God to be true, hope awaits the time when his truth shall be manifested; faith believes that he is our Father, hope anticipates that he will ever show himself to be a Father toward us; faith believes that eternal life has been given to us, hope anticipates that it will sometime be revealed; faith is the foundation upon which hope rests, hope nourishes and sustains faith.
(Calvin, Inst. 3.2.42)
Regeneration
Calvin has a lovely definition of regeneration.
“It is the actualization in the believer of the life of Christ,” and, “anticipation in conditions of the time of the final resurrection.”
The Issue
“Most of God’s people are contented to be saved from the hell that is without; they are not so anxious to be saved from the hell that is within.”
Robert M. M’Cheyne
Come & Die
“Jeder Ruf Christi fuhrt in den Tod” (every call of Christ leads to death) – Bonhoeffer (modern trans. “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die”)
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