# “Doctrine is rightly received when it takes possession of the entire soul and finds a dwelling place and shelter in the most intimate affections of the heart” by John Calvin

- Link: https://tollelege.net/2020/12/24/doctrine-is-rightly-received-when-it-takes-possession-of-the-entire-soul-and-finds-a-dwelling-place-and-shelter-in-the-most-intimate-affections-of-the-heart-by-john-calvin/
- Published: 2020-12-24T11:00:06-06:00
- Author: tollelege

“Nominal Christians demonstrate their knowledge of Christ to be false and offensive
no matter how eloquently and loudly they talk about the gospel. For true doctrine
is not a matter of the tongue, but of life; neither is Christian doctrine grasped
only by the intellect and memory, as truth is grasped in other fields of study.

Rather, doctrine is rightly received when it takes possession of the entire soul
and finds a dwelling place and shelter in the most intimate affections of the heart.
So let such people stop lying, or let them prove themselves worthy disciples of 
Christ, their teacher.

We have given priority to doctrine, which contains our religion, since it establishes
our salvation. But in order for doctrine to be fruitful to us, it must overflow 
into our hearts, spread into our daily routines, and truly transform us within.

Even the philosophers rage against and reject those who profess an art that ought
to govern one’s life, but who twist that art hypocritically into empty chatter. 
How much more then should we detest the foolish talk of those who give lip service
to the gospel?

The gospel’s power ought to penetrate the innermost affections of the heart, sink
down into the soul, and inspire the whole man a hundred times more than the lifeless
teachings of the philosophers.

I’m not saying that the conduct of a Christian will breathe nothing but pure gospel,
although this should be desired and pursued. I’m not, in other words, talking about
gospel perfection, as if I were unwilling to acknowledge or recognize a man or a
woman as a Christian who has not obtained perfection.

If that were the case, everyone would be excluded from the church, since we do not
find any in it who are close to being perfect. Indeed, we find many in the church
who have progressed little toward perfection, but who, nevertheless, it would be
unjust to reject as Christians.

What I am saying is this: Let us fix our eyes on the goal and sole object of our
pursuit. Let that goal, toward which we must strive and contend, be established 
from the beginning.

After all, it’s not right to barter with God regarding what we will and won’t undertake
from those things He has prescribed for us in His Word. God always commends—as of
utmost importance—integrity as the principal part of His worship.

And by the word integrity He means sincere simplicity of heart, free from pretense
and deceit, which is the opposite of duplicity of heart. In other words, right living
has a spiritual basis where the inner affection of the soul is sincerely devoted
to God for the nurture of holiness and righteousness.”

–John Calvin, [_A Little Book on the Christian Life_](https://amzn.to/3nKjV5G), 
Trans. and Eds. Aaron C. Denlinger and Burk Parsons (Orlando, FL: Reformation Trust,
2017), 12-16.

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