Calvin’s Institutes: We can enjoy this life.

My entry last Friday indicated I was summarizing Book 3, chapter 8. Wrong. It was chapter 9. So this summary summarizes Book 3, chapter 10 of the Institutes. Its title is, How we Must Use the Present Life and Its Helps.

Here Calvin is down to earth giving us good advice about how we can live our Christian life here and now. In the last entry I mentioned Calvin’s eschatology does not consistently lean toward the blessing and power of the resurrection and the age of the Spirit. In this chapter he is leaning more than he did in the last chapter. There is a good worldview here.

1. God’s children are pilgrims travelling to the Heavenly Kingdom (Lev. 25:23; 1 Chr 29:15; Ps. 39:13; 119:19; Heb. 11:8-10, 13-16; 13:14; 1 Peter 2:11). But another thing is certain as well. “If we must simply pass through this world, there is no doubt we ought to use its good things in so far as they help rather than hinder our course” (Pg., 719).

2. Because of the human propensity to self indulgence, we must be careful to maintain a proper balance in the use of the good things God has given. Persons can slide into the area of intemperance and covetousness, or they can slide into severe asceticism and not rejoice in those good things God has given them to enjoy.

3. Calvin says the principle to remember is “that the use of God’s gifts is not wrongly directed when it is referred to that end to which the Author himself created and destined them for us, since he created them for our good, not for our ruin. Accordingly, no one will hold to a straighter path than he who diligently looks to this end” (Pg., 720).

4. Though men and women at times overflow in asceticism, intemperance and the lust of the flesh is they easier sin to fall into. “Unless they are kept in order, they overflow without measure” (Pg., 721). No person can recognize God, and be grateful to him, if his mind is filled with the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life. Remember Paul’s verse in Rom. 13:14; “if we yield too much to these (desires), they boil up without measure or control” (Pg., 722).

Here the medieval mysticism and devotio mederna come out again. Self-discipline was the key to a godly life. Obviously, there is some truth to this. Proverbs makes it clear that a man who can control himself is better than a general with all the tactical acumen and strength who can take a city (Prov 16:23).

5. To control wrong cravings, pride, substances, and other passions Calvin writes that we should first put on the bridle of recognizing that all things are created for us, for the express purpose of revealing God as Creator and rendering thanksgiving in our hearts for his kindnesses to us. As we look for Christ the king and that eternal city whose builder and maker is God, we can use the good things in this life with temperance and to the glory of God.

6. Well, the question comes up, “How do we handle what we can enjoy?”

First, humility. Remember the flesh, meaning our wishes or our passions, is never satisfied. Calvin writes that the Christian should “indulge oneself as little as possible; but on the contrary, with unflagging effort of mind to insist upon cutting off all show of superfluous wealth, not to mention licentiousness” (Pg 723).

Second, wisdom. Be wise enough about yourself and Scripture to “diligently to guard against turning helps into hindrances” (Pg., 723). Here the subject of Christian liberty comes up. A believer can be free to do certain things, but in this freedom they must not let any activity become a hinderance.

Third, contentment. To control lust of the flesh, Calvin tells us to put on the bridle of “being content with what you have!” “They who have narrow and slender resources should know how to go without things patiently, lest they be troubled by an immoderate desire for them” (Pg., 723). (Phil. 4:12)

Fourth, stewardship. God in his great love and mercy has given us a calling in life. Therefore, knowing the love and kindness of God in giving us that particular status, vocation, or monetary condition, let us be good stewards, disciplined for the glory of God. (Lk. 16:2)