David's Blog

Looking to Jesus for everything

I have been reading and  benefiting greatly from Sinclair Ferguson's book 'The Whole Christ'. Here's a wonderful quotation from John Calvin spelling out how our whole salvation is found in Jesus and our great need therefore is always and only to look to Him.
Calvin is expounding that truth in the terms of the Apostles' Creed.

When we see salvation whole - its every single part is found in Christ, we must beware lest we derive the smallest drop from somewhere else.

If we seek salvation, the very name of Jesus teaches us that he possesses it.

If other Spirit-given gifts are sought - in his anointing they are found;
strength - in his reign;
and purity - in his conception;
tenderness - expressed in his nativity,
in which he was made like us in all respects, that he might feel our pain:

Redemption when we seek it, is in his passion found;
acquittal -  in his condemnation lies;
and freedom from the curse - in his cross is known.
If satisfaction for our sins we seek - we'll find it in his sacrifice.

There's cleansing in his blood.
And if it's reconciliation that we need, for it he entered Hades;
if mortification of our flesh - then in his tomb it's laid.
And newness of our life - his resurrection brings and
immortality as well come also with that gift.

And if we long to find that heaven's kingdom's our inheritance, 
his entry there secures it now
with our protection, safety too, and blessings that abound
- all flowing from his kingly reign.

The sum of all for those who seek such treasure-trove of blessings,
these blessings of all kinds, is this:
from nowhere else than him can they be drawn;
for they are ours in Christ alone.

(John Calvin Institutes of  the Christian Religion, 2.16.19, 1959 Latin ed., translation & versification Sinclair Ferguson's as quoted in The Whole Christ published by Crossway pps 55-56)