# “In God, not in themselves” by John Calvin

- Link: https://tollelege.net/2010/05/14/in-god-not-in-themselves-by-john-calvin/
- Published: 2010-05-14T11:47:53-05:00
- Author: tollelege

“We ought to embrace the whole human race without exception in a single feeling 
of love; here there is no distinction between barbarian and Greek, worthy and unworthy,
friend and enemy, since all should be contemplated in God, not in themselves. When
we turn aside from such contemplation, it is no wonder we become entangled in many
errors.

Therefore, if we rightly direct our love, we must first turn our eyes not to man,
the sight of whom would more often engender hate than love, but to God, who bids
us extend to all men the love we bear to Him, that this may be an unchanging principle:
Whatever the character of the man, we must yet love him because we love God.”

–John Calvin, _[Institutes of the Christian Religion](https://www.amazon.com/dp/0664220282?tag=toletaupanre-20)_,
John T. McNeill, ed, Ford Lewis Battles, trans, Library of Christian Classics (Philadelphia:
Westminster, 1960 [1559]), 2.8.55.

[[HT: Reinke](http://spurgeon.wordpress.com/2010/05/13/love-for-others/)]

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