I like how Calvin puts it: “When we present our merits to God – we ask for his judgment upon us & not his mercy & therefore, we are condemned.” (Inst. 3. 20. 45)
A Good Conscience
Calvin points out that “a good conscience is nothing but inward integrity of heart, and that the fulfillment of the law is love from a clear conscience and sincere faith.” He further says that his conscience was subject to the observance of God’s law even if no one else lived on earth. (Inst. III. 14.16). A guilty conscience comes then, from violating God’s law – sin is lawlessness.
Apprehended By Christ
Thomas Boston (1676 – 1732) says: “When Christ apprehends a man by His Spirit, he is so drawn that he comes away to Christ with his whole heart: for true believing is believing with all the heart.”
(Human Nature in its Fourfold State, p. 283)
Promises Performed
Whatever God mercifully promises, he faithfully performs.
(Calvin, Inst. III.13.4, p. 766)
God is Greater than Our Hearts
Our hearts so often condemn us (we probably don’t know our hearts as we think we do). But God is greater than our hearts. Calvin wrote, “the human heart has so many crannies where vanity hides, so many holes where falsehood lurks, is so decked with deceiving hypocrisy, that it often dupes itself.” It never dupes God (see Hebrews 4:13). Look to God and his grace for healing comfort.
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