The Golden Booklet of the True Christian Life, Written By John Calvin.
According to the Preface of the Book, The Golden Booklet is the present heading of Chapter Six, Book III, of Calvin’s Institutes. This writing of Calvin includes five chapter, entitled 1. Humble Obedience, The True Imitation of Christ, 2. Self-denial, 3. Patience in Crossbearing, 4. Hopefulness in the Next World, and 5. The Right Use of the Present Life.
I personally love the very first paragraph of this entire writing the most, “The goal of the new life is that God’s children exhibit melody and harmony in their conduct. What melody? The song of God’s justice. What harmony? The harmony between God’s righteousness and our obedience” (Calvin Pg. 11). This sets the tone for the rest of the writing, which tend to be very deep and theological.
The call of this book for for us, who are Christians, to live a more meaningful and Spirit-filled life, in Christ. The instructions at time seem to be very compassionate and helpful, such as, “There is deliverance in store only for the man who gives up his selfishness, and whose sole aim is to please the Lord and to do what is right in His sight” (Pg. 24). And also, “Whatever ability a faithful Christian may possess, he ought to possess it for his fellow believers, and ought to make his own interest subservient to the well-being of the church in sincerity” (Pg. 31). Calvin goes on in his writing to give a rule of goodwill and helpfulness, “That whenever we are able to assist others we should behave as stewards who must some day give an account of ourselves, and let us remember that the distribution of profits must be determined by the law of love” (Pg. 32). These commands and insights from Calvin give us, today, insight into how a Christian ought to be living out their lives.
The biggest thing we take away from this classic Christian writing is this, turning away from selfishness, in all of its forms, turning to Christ, and waiting patiently in Him, for Him and through Him, we will find inner peace that only comes through the redeeming work of the Holy Spirit. And it is something that we should be seeking after.
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