Deep Dive into Blessed Are They Whose Iniquity is Forgiven by John Calvin

John Calvin defines true blessedness as being rooted entirely in God's free grace and gratuitous reconciliation. According to Calvin, drawing from Psalm 32, the full definition of the righteousness of faith is achieved when individuals are freely reconciled to God, and counted as righteous by him. This principle dictates that the gate of eternal salvation is the free remission of sins.

True blessedness utterly destroys the righteousness of works. Since all men are naturally prone to evil and their works, even those of the saints, are "spotted with stains," reliance on God’s grace alone is necessary. If mercy were withheld, all men would be utterly wretched and accursed. Therefore, seeking happiness must begin with the acknowledgement that God pardons those worthy of eternal destruction by freely bestowing upon them His favor. This free remission must be complete forgiveness—God lifting off, covering, and not imputing sins.

This doctrine stands in sharp contrast to the beliefs of the Papists, who Calvin asserts make light of the prophet’s true meaning. Papists fail to embrace the free pardon, instead relying on the delusion that they are "adorned with merits" or can use satisfactions and works of supererogation to purchase God's favor. They mistakenly believe that pardon is necessary only for the beginning of righteousness, while Calvin stresses that the same grace must accompany believers to the last step of their life because they are daily involved in many faults.

David's emphatic repetition of the declaration of blessedness is not vain, but serves two purposes: to raise up those who are fallen asleep in carnal security, and to tranquillise fearful and anxious minds with an assured and steady confidence. The knowledge of salvation itself is ultimately defined as knowing "the remission of sins."

Reformed Theologian GPT: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-XXwzX1gnv-reformed-theologian

https://buymeacoffee.com/edi2730