Deep Dive into Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin - Works Righteousness Is Wrongly Inferred from RewardSalvation and eternal blessings are understood as a divine inheritance, received through God's adoption of believers as sons, rather than as wages earned through human effort. When the sources discuss "reward" for good works or tribulations, this is consistently reframed as a manifestation of God's boundless grace and mercy, not a recognition of inherent human merit. The parable of the vineyard workers, where all laborers receive equal pay regardless of their hours, vividly illustrates that the reward is a gift of grace, not a payment for works.The purpose of promising such rewards is multi-faceted: it serves to relieve human weakness and provide comfort amidst life's struggles, motivating believers to persevere. It also acts to train believers, encouraging them to meditate on and hasten towards the blessed hope held out to them in heaven. Good works, like giving to the poor, are likened to treasures in heaven, representing a spiritual shift of focus from temporary earthly gains to eternal realities.Furthermore, these sources emphasize that human works are always imperfect, defiled with "foul dregs," and are only deemed pleasing to God through His pardon. This underscores that any divine acceptance or "righteousness" attributed to works is due to God's compassion covering their imperfections.Crucially, justification rests solely on God's mercy and Christ's merit, with faith being the instrument through which Christ's righteousness is freely obtained. While love is considered "greater" than faith for its fruitfulness, expansive nature, and eternal duration, it does not possess the unique power to justify. The commandments, rather than being a means to earn salvation, primarily serve to reveal humanity's inability to perfectly obey, thereby driving individuals to recognize their profound need for Christ and His righteousness.Reformed Theologian GPT: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-XXwzX1gnv-reformed-theologianhttps://buymeacoffee.com/edi2730

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