Foundation for Reformed Theology, 1982-2012 
Calvin
John Calvin
(1509-1564)
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Hidden with God
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The third temptation is to prestige, to think of ourselves wrongly, to believe, as it were, the propaganda. To do so is to forfeit knowing our true selves in God. See:

Allen, Diogenes. Temptation. New York: Church Publications, 2004. 160 pp.      
 

Hidden with God

 

Social position tempts us into evil because it tends to make us think it is an accurate measure of worth. There is a temptation for us all to estimate the value of ourselves and other people according to our respective social position. Without realizing it we often allow this social measure to tell us how highly we ought to think of ourselves or others. The social categories of the day tend to be used to tell us who and what we are, who and what others are. They are used to establish our identity.

 

But such a gauge is not an accurate measure of our own value, whether it registers high or low. It is not a sound measure of the true importance of others. It does not take into account political and economic circumstances over which none of us individually has full control. These are a major factor in determining the social position we may have attained or have failed to attain. We are tempted to forget this. When we do there are several undesirable consequences. First, we become uanlbe to find out what our own true value is; for in a way yet to be revealed to us in our pilgrimage, what we are to be is hidden with God. It is to be found only after we have passed through the gateway. That is, it is to be found only after we realize the inaccuracy of the social gauge. To  think that our present identity as defined by our society is our true one keeps us from finding the true life God has in store for us. No matter how high we are, it is less than what God has planned. (pp. 55-56) 

 

Dr. James C. Goodloe IVGrace and Peace,
 
            Jim
Dr. James C. Goodloe IV, Executive Director
Foundation for Reformed Theology
4103 Monument Avenue
Richmond, Virginia 23230-3818
[email protected]
(804) 678-8352

Celebrating Our First Thirty Years, 1982-2012

 

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