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Martyred for the Gospel

Martyred for the Gospel
The burning of Tharchbishop of Cant. D. Tho. Cranmer in the town dich at Oxford, with his hand first thrust into the fyre, wherwith he subscribed before. [Click on the picture to see Cranmer's last words.]

Daily Bible Verse

Friday, November 02, 2012

Calvin on Synergistic Sanctification

All he does is to mark a multiplication of grace. To this effect, accordingly, he elsewhere says, that in man good will precedes many gifts from God; but among these gifts is this good will itself. (August. Enchiridion ad Laurent. cap. 32). Whence it follows, that nothing is left for the will to arrogate as its own. This Paul has expressly stated. For, after saying, “It is God which worketh in you both to will and to do,” he immediately adds, “of his good pleasure,” (Phil. 2:13); indicating by this expression, that the blessing is gratuitous. As to the common saying, that after we have given admission to the first grace, our efforts co-operate with subsequent grace, this is my answer:—If it is meant that after we are once subdued by the power of the Lord to the obedience of righteousness, we proceed voluntarily, and are inclined to follow the movement of grace, I have nothing to object. For it is most certain, that where the grace of God reigns, there is also this readiness to obey. And whence this readiness, but just that the Spirit of God being everywhere consistent with himself, after first begetting a principle of obedience, cherishes and strengthens it for perseverance? If, again, it is meant that man is able of himself to be a fellow-labourer with the grace of God, I hold it to be a most pestilential delusion.  Institutes Book II, Chapter III, Section 11.

Calvin, J. (1997). Institutes of the Christian Religion. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

3 comments:

Mr. Mcgranor said...

You all try to make us out to be something we are not. Have you ever heard the expression 'out of the kindness of the heart'? We may be able to do that without God; but that isn't our concern. If you do something 'out of the kindness of your heart'; you will have to do it with God...or eventually do it for him.

Charlie J. Ray said...

Out of the kindness of my heart I'm telling you that you believe in a false religion, a false Jesus, and a false gospel of works. Repent of your works and trust only in the merits of Jesus and His atoning death for His elect only. How's that? Otherwise you will perish in your self righteousness. Trying to get to heaven by your own efforts, your own righteousness, and your own perseverance is like trying to get to heaven in a row boat.

Charlie J. Ray said...

Well no. I'm a miserable sinner who deserves hell. All of my righteousness is in Christ and Christ alone.


and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; (Philippians 3:9 NKJ)

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