“Justification is the ‘chief thing’ which holds up all religion. Calvin explains this importance by wrapping up all the doctrine thus far. Man is utterly helpless to save himself and needs a Mediator. He has no excuse when standing before God and being judged. He is a sinner. He is under the Law that weighs down upon him. He has nothing to say in his own defense. God with Divine Grace must now confront divine Law before him. Thus, God must justify the sinner. He cannot be justified by any of his works and needs God to justify him on behalf of Jesus Christ. ‘Justification by Christ’ is the answer.”

Institutes of the Christian Religion
Knowledge of God and Ourselves (John Calvin)
1. Our wisdom, in so far as it ought to be deemed true and solid Wisdom, consists almost entirely of two parts: the knowledge of God and of ourselves. But as these are connected together by many ties, it is… Read More ›