Calvin on Christian freedom

Listening to: Nothing

In case anyone had Calvin down as a stone-hearted theological monster, a spoil sport, and a moralist, here's an incredibly warm and amusing passage on living the good life; free in Christ.

... the knowledge of this freedom is very necessary for us, for if it is lacking, our consciences will have no repose and there will be no end to superstitions. Today we seem to many to be unreasonable because we stir up discussion over the unrestricted eating of meat, use of holidays and of vestments, and such thing, which seem to them vain frivolities.

But these matters are more important than is commonly believed. For when consciences one ensnare themselves, they enter a long and inextricable maze, not easy to get out of. If a man begins to doubt whether he may use linen for sheets, shirts, handkerchiefs, and napkins, he will afterward be uncertain also about hemp; finally, doubt will even arise over tow. For he will turn over in his mind whether he can sup without napkins, or go without a handkerchief. If any man should consider daintier food unlawful, in the end he will not be at peace before God, when he eats either black bread or common victuals, while it occurs to him that he could sustain his body on courser foods. If he boggles at sweet wine, he will not with clear conscience drink even flat wine, and finally he will not dare touch water if sweeter and cleaner than other water. To sum up, he will come to the point of considering it wrong to step upon a straw in his path, as the saying goes.

Institutes of the Christian Religion, III.19.7

His point is this. If your conscience constantly keeps you in bondage to petty rules and regulations, then you've not yet grasped the grace of the gospel. Before long you will find yourself captive to godless superstitions- 'Don't drink alcohol!', 'Never buy the most expensive thing on the menu!', 'If you enjoy it it's probably bad', 'Being comfortable is sinful'.

Two common myths to blow out of the water:
1. The 'comfort zone' might not always be the place of apathy and unbelief. It may be that God has given you many good gifts! Think about how to accept them and enjoy them in way that brings honour to Him, the Giver. Christians with a doctrine of creation will understand the Lord to be gracious in the very act of creation; therefore good food, fine wines, comfy bedclothes, (and yes, even dining with a napkin!) can be gratefully received by the adopted children of the Father of Lights from Whom every good gift comes.
2. The conscience is not synonymous with the Holy Spirit. Just because your conscience tells you to do something that sounds 'holy' don't automatically assume it's for the best. The conscience must be submitted to the gospel each day afresh, just as every other part of us. It will naturally either go slack and let us off with any old sin, or will cause us to commit the worst of sins: trying present our own self-righteousness before the Father through human regulations, superstitions, and wisdom.

We have been given great freedom in Christ to live in his good creation. Let's enjoy it (wisely), be generous with it, and praise the Lord for it. Certainly let's not suppress it lest we deny the gospel and retreat to the lies that hold sway in the world (Colossians 2).