classic Saturday

Some powerful words about self-denial in this week's devotion by John Calvin (1509-1564). It's from his Golden Booklet of the True Christian Life. Here's just one paragraph of a very rich and challenging excerpt...

Our only legitimate goal

"If we are not our own, but the Lord's, it is clear to what purpose all our deeds must be directed. We are not our own, therefore neither our reason nor our will should guide us in our thoughts and actions. We are not our own, therefore we should not seek what is only expedient to the flesh. We are not our own, therefore let us forget ourselves and our own interests as far as possible.

We are God's own; to him, therefore, let us live and die. We are God's own; therefore, let his wisdom and will dominate all our actions. We are God's own; therefore let every part of our existence be directed towards him as our only legitimate goal."

Foster..."Calvin writes about abandoning our reason in favor of following God's will. When have you experienced a clash between your reason and what you felt to be the will of God? How did you respond?