The following passage is from today’s reading in Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion. Calvin has been dealing with the idea of repentance, “penance”, and the satisfaction of sins. In this particular passage he deals with fatherly discipline of children as a picture of God’s dealing with believers.
…the wicked…are not punished that they may come to a better mind; but only that in their great distress they may find God to be a Judge and Avenger. But the children are [disciplined], not to pay the penalty for their sins to God, but in order thereby to be led to repentence. Accordingly, we understand that these things haveto do ratherwith the future than withthe past. I would prefer to express this thought in the words of Chrysostom rather than my own: ‘On this account,” he says, “he imposes a penalty upon us–not to punish us for past sins, but to correct us against future ones.” So also Augustine: “What you suffer, what you complain about, is your medicine, not your penalty; your chastisement, not your condemnation. Do not put away the scourge if you do not want to be put away from the inheritance,” etc.
Chrysostom’s statement that we are helped against future sins and not punished for past sins is particularly helpful. A wonderful summary conclusion of such passages as Romans 5:1-11 [show] Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. [2]Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. [3]More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, [4]and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, [5]and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
[6]For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. [7]For one will scarcely die for a righteous person--though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die-- [8]but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. [9]Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. [10]For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. [11]More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. (ESV)
, Romans 8:1 [show] There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (ESV), and Hebrews 12:1-11 [show] Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, [2]looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
[3]Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. [4]In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. [5]And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?
"My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
nor be weary when reproved by him.
[6]For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and chastises every son whom he receives."
[7]It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? [8]If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. [9]Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? [10]For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. [11]For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. (ESV).
gmail.com
