…in seeking God, miserable men do not rise above themselves as they should, but measure him by the yardstick of their own carnal stupidity, and neglect sound investigation; thus out of curiosity they fly off into empty speculations. They do not therefore apprehend God as he offers himself, but imagine him as they have fashioned him in their own presumption. When this gulf opens, in whatever direction they move their feet, they cannot but plunge headlong into ruin. Indeed, whatever they afterward attempt by way of worship or service of God, they cannot bring as tribute to him, for they are worshipping not God but a figment and a dream of their own heart.” (John Calvin)
One of the things that I have learned from Calvin is the absolute necessity of being satisfied and wholly dependent upon that which God has revealed of Himself. It is not just the pagan that goes off into wild and empty speculations. It is quite often the self-assured theologian that is “not content with sobriety but claiming for themselves more than is right, they wantonly bring darkness upon themselves”. And they (we) do this because we have a “vain curiosity” and “an inordinate desire to know more than is fitting”.
That “inordinate desire to know more than is fitting” has caused much trouble. This is perhaps the breeding ground from whence every heretic is born. This questioning and inordinate desire goes back as far as the garden. “Did God really say…”? And it finds itself in much of our speculation and in many of the books in our day and age.
Am I content with what God has revealed? Am I satisfied with making my sole passion being to enjoy God’s grace and extend His glory with a group of other Jesus fools? Or do I need something flashy? Do I need to figure stuff out and find new things, or am I content to rest and enjoy everything Jesus has already purchased and revealed?
If I’m not, I pray the Lord change my heart to be content with His revelation.
