This [pious] mind restrains itself from sinning, not out of dread of punishment alone; but, because it loves and reveres God as Father, it worships and adores him as Lord. Even if there were no hell, it would still shudder at offending him alone (Institutes I.ii.2)

I am reading through Calvin’s Institutes in 2009, and I was struck by this passage this morning. In this section, Calvin has been talking about the nature of true piety: the marriage of reverence and love for God.

So often sin is talked about within the context of punishment and what we deserve. But in so doing, we forget whence that punishment comes and against whom we have sinned. This quote provides great opportunities for meditation and self-reflection:

1. What restrains me from sinning? The consequences or my love and reverence for God?
2. How does my love and adoration for the Lord affect my desire to sin? As a pastor once said, we need a greater “lust” (love for God) to crowd out all the other lusts of this world.

I was also reminded of these passages from Scripture:

2 Cor. 7:10
For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.

Psalm 51:4
Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.