From Judge to Physician

In speaking of God’s continued act of examining and chastising those to whom he has been merciful, Calvin writes:

For God does not consider, in chastising the faithful, what they deserve; but what will be useful to them in future; and fulfils the office of a physician rather than of a judge. Therefore, the absolution which he imparts to his children is complete and not by halves. That he, nevertheless, punishes those who are received into favor, is to be regarded as a kind of chastisement which serves as medicine for future time, but ought not properly to be regarded as the vindictive punishment of sin committed.

Which got me thinking that Satan’s continued existence is a sort of anti-virus. As he continues to level charges at us, we now use this as an opportunity to attack the disease. His accusations reveal the problem. They make the source known so that we can treat it.

In many ways we act as our own private satans. Who is a better accuser than one’s own self? After all, you know everything that you think and do, and you know all of your excuses.

The goal of introspection is not to simply wallow in your sorrow. It isn’t even to destroy yourself, though some macabre individuals might take it that direction. Rather, the goal of self-examination, and thus the confession of sins (I recommend audible, especially if it’s private), is to eradicate the disease.

Satan’s leashed now, and so there’s no reason we can’t put him to good use.