Wednesday, May 14, 2008

All of Salvation's Blessings Are in Christ

"...Our salvation and all its parts are comprehended in Christ (Acts 4;12). We should therefore take care not to derive the least portion of it from anywhere else.

"If we seek salvation, we are taught by the very name of Jesus that it is 'of him' (1 Cor.1:30). If we seek any other gifts of his Spirit, they will be found in his anointing. If we seek strength, it lies in his dominion; if purity, in his conception; if gentleness, it appears in his birth...

"If we seek redemption, it lies in his passion; if acquittal, in his condemnation; if remission of the curse, in his cross (Gal.3:13); if satisfaction, in his sacrifice, if purification, in his blood; if reconciliation, in his descent into hell; if mortification of the flesh, in his tomb; if newness of life, in his resurrection...

"In short, since rich store of very kind of good abounds in him, let us drink our fill from this fountain, and no other."

-- John Calvin, "Institutes of the Christian Religion" II.16.9

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