Pray with me

We must come before God in silence, as evildoers, in order to obtain grace for the offenses that we have committed. We come clothed in shame, confessing that we are lost, that God might save us through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. In short, we say that it is completely beyond our powers to acquit ourselves in the eyes of God. But he comes to our aid; he does not scrutinize us or enter into account with us. When we have offended him, there is no satisfaction for sin other than the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ. The only way we can be cleansed is to wash ourselves in his blood. — John Calvin, Freedom from the Bondage of the Law

John Calvin, above left, was Martin Luther's successor as the preeminent Protestant theologian of his time. Calvin, who wrote extensively about the concept of election, made a powerful impact on the fundamental doctrines of the Protestant faith. Interested in reading more about Calvin's interpretations of the Holy Scriptures, click here.