Calvin for the Christian

“The Apostle assigns the reason, “Though he was a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered,” (Heb. 5:8). Why then should we exempt ourselves from that condition to which Christ our Head behoved to submit; especially since he submitted on our account, that he might in his own person exhibit a model of patience?” (p.431). Why are the calls to follow Christ and to suffer seen as mutually exclusive? When considering the normative life of a Christian we speak of living morally, attending church, being good citizens, etc. and then (maybe) make some concession for the reality of hardship. I pray I will be able to cultivate an ecclesial community someday which recognizes and even embraces a cruciform understanding of life.

However, this costly lifestyle of cross-bearing results in something profound. We will be privileged to taste of our Savior in ways luxury could never afford! Calvin assures us, “How powerfully should it soften the bitterness of the cross, to think that the more we are afflicted with adversity, the surer we are made of our fellowship with Christ; by communion with whom our sufferings are not only blessed to us, but tend greatly to the furtherance of our salvation” (p.431-432).