The mutual help which the different parts of the body offer to each other is by the law of nature considered to be no favour, but a matter of course, which it would be crue to refuse.
Therefore, if a man has performed one service, he should not reckon himself discharged from all other duties. A rich man for instance, who has given away part of his property and leaves the burdens for others, cannot consider himself to be excused.
Every man, however important he may be, should realise that he is a debtor to his neighbour and that love demands that he give to the limit of his ability. (John Calvin)
Posted by Deejay April 20, 2008@17:59
Practicing charity with a right frame
Christians certainly ought to display more than a smiling face, a cheerful mood, and polite language when they practice charity.
First of all, Christians ought to imagine themselves in the place of the person who needs their help, and they ought to sympathise with him as though they themselves were suffering; they ought to show real mercy and humaneness and offer their assistance as readily as if it were for themselves.
Heartfelt pity will banish arrogance and reproach, and will prevent contempt and domineering over the poor and needy.
When a member of our physical body is diseased and the whole body has to labour to restore it to health, we do not despise the diseased member or hold it under obligation because it needs all this assistance. [John Calvin]
Posted by Deejay April 20, 2008@01:02
Doing duties with a sincere heart
We will not practice real self-denial unless we fulfill all the duties of love.
These are not fulfilled by him who merely in an external way performs his services without omitting even one, but by him who acts from a sincere principle of love.
For it may happen that a man discharges his duties to the best of his abilities, but if his heart is not in them, he falls far from the mark.
There are people who are known to be very liberal, yet they never give without scolding or pride or even insolence.
We are sunk to such a depth of calamity in this awful age that scarcely any alms are given, at least by the majority of men, without haughtiness and contempt.
The corruption of our times is so enormous that it would not have been tolerated by the pagans. [John Calvin]
Posted by Deejay April 16, 2008@22:02
Man -- God's image bearer
This is the only way to attain that which is not only difficult, but utterly repugnant to man's nature: to love those who hate us, to requite injuries with kindness, and to return blessings for curses.
We should for ever keep in mind that's we must not brood on the wickedness of man, but realize that he is God's image bearer.
If we cover and obliterate man's faults and consider the beauty and dignity of Gods image in him, then we shall be induced to love and embrace him [Hebrew 12 -- 16; Gal 6 -- 10; Isaiah 58 -- 7; Matt. 5 -- 44; Luke 17 -- 3, 4;]
Posted by Deejay April 14, 2008@23:43
