Recently, I have been listening to past African-American Pastor Conference CDs, both as I exercise in the morning and drive to and from work each day, and I was strongly convicted by Rev. Anthony Carter's message, entitled "The Faith once Delivered", which he delivered at the 2001 African-American Pastor's Conference in Miami, FL.In this message, Rev. Carter instructed us to get familiar with "the Classics", those writings that have been a true blessing throughout all of Christian history. So, in following this command, I have started to re-read The Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin. And in doing so, I ran across a very powerful statement by Calvin in regards to comparing our human righteousness to that of God's:
For if in broad daylight we either look down upon the ground or survey whatever meets our view round about, we seem to ourselves endowed with the strongest and keenest sight; yet when we look up to the sun and gaze straight at it the power of sight which was particularly strong on Earth is at once blunted and confused by a great brillance, and thus we are compelled to admit that our keenness in looking upon things earthly is sheer dullness when it comes to the sun. So it happens in estimating our spiritual goodness. As long as we do not look beyond the earth, being quite content with our own righteousness, wisdom, and virtue, we flatter ourselves most sweetly, and fancy ourselves as demigods. Supoose we but once begin to raise our thoughts to God and to ponder His nature and how completely perfect are His righteousness, wisdom, and power--the straightedge to which we must be shaped. Then, what masquerading earleir as righteousness was pleasing in us will soon grow filthy in it consummate wickedness. What wonderfully impressed us under the name wisdom will stink in its very foolishness. What wore the face of power will prove itself the most miserable weakness. That is, what in us seems perfection itself corresponds ill to the purity of God. (Book I , Chapter I, Section I)
1 comment:
Hope you visit, pls, our Reformed site, friend. TheAmericanView.com. And try to get me a speaking date at your church. Below a brief bio. Orlando is my home. Thanks. God bless you all. John Lofton.
JOHN LOFTON / RECOVERING REPUBLICAN
For more than 35 years John Lofton has covered national politics and cultural/religious issues as a journalist, nationally-syndicated columnist, TV-radio commentator/analyst and political advisor.
• Editor, "Monday," the weekly, national publication of the Republican National Committee, 1970-73.
• Nationally-syndicated columnist for "United Features" Syndicate in more than 100 papers nationwide, 1973-80.
• Editor, "Battleline," monthly newsletter of The American Conservative Union, 1977-80.
• Editor, "Conservative Digest" magazine, 1980-82.
• Columnist, "The Washington Times" newspaper, 1982-89.
• Program-host/commentator, "America's Voice," a national cable TV network in all 50 states, 1998-99.
• A commentator on the "Mutual Radio Network;"
• An advisor to the Presidential campaign of Pat Buchanan;
• Author of a monthly column on the Federal bureaucracy for Howard Phillips' "Conservative Caucus."
• Has written articles for the NRA magazine “America’s First Freedom”; Gun Owners Of America.
• Communications Director for Constitution Party Presidential candidate Michael Anthony Peroutka in 2004.
• Editor, TheAmericanView.com.
• Co–host with Michael Peroutka of “The American View” radio program.
John Lofton has given numerous speeches before various groups, Liberal and Conservative, including Liberty University/Bob Jones University. He has appeared on every major TV/radio talk show (including the Comedy Channel’s “Daily Show”/“Politically Incorrect”) to debate every imaginable kind of anti-Christian goofball --- and some who are unimaginable but who do, alas, exist. And he never went to college which is why he is so smart. He can be reached at: Phone: (301) 410-760-8885; cell phone: 301-873-4612; email: JLof@aol.com
Post a Comment