Day 1: John Calvin – “Coram Deo”
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.”
Introduction
Ask any pastor for a list of their favorite theologians, and there is a good chance they will mention John Calvin. Born in 1509, Calvin was a French theologian, pastor, and one of the leading figures of the Protestant Reformation. His theology and teaching heavily shaped major denominations and countless churches. In his day, and still today, Calvin is regarded as a spiritual giant, someone who effectively preached and taught God’s truth (no matter the cost) and impacted millions.
Shaped By His Word
As important as his theology may be, honing in on his way of life is just as, if not more, important. He lived by the phrase “coram Deo,” meaning “in the presence of God” or “before the face of God.” Calvin believed that every facet of life, both public and private, must be lived in God’s presence. For him, families, friendships, churches, workplaces, etc., all belong to God and must be lived in light of Him.
And Calvin’s secret to that lifestyle was Scripture. If God sees all of our lives, then His Word must govern our lives. The Bible teaches how to live pleasingly before God. Therefore, Calvin wholeheartedly submitted to God’s Word and endeavored to obey it in every part of his life. This is the core of Calvin’s famous words, “My heart I offer to You, O Lord, promptly and sincerely.”
Using our human relationships as an example, Calvin would argue that Scripture commands us to serve, love, and forgive. About our workplaces, the Bible teaches that we are not there to simply make money, but to serve the people we work with and use the finances we earn to meet others’ needs, not just our own. Obedience to God’s Word can be costly, disrupting our own desires and plans (it certainly did for Calvin), but it leads us to live a life that God desires.
Reflection
Like Calvin, Scripture should not only be what we believe but also what shapes us to live for God and honor Him in all we do. Considering our attitude towards God’s Word, what “role” does it play in our lives? Do we set our hearts to live by it? Or has it become something we easily neglect and feel burdened by? Let’s pray for a change of attitude towards His Word and for a more sincere heart for it. We want to confess Scripture’s authority over our lives and obey it.