April 29: DON’T RUN AHEAD OF GOD!

But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise. Hebrews 10:32-36

After spreading the light of the gospel in and around Poitiers, John Calvin returned to Paris. And though it was evident that the Roman church hierarchy were closing in on the reformers, he was not ready to give up hope that France as a nation would come to the light. Sadly, every door of labor as a teacher or preacher closed in his face. He realized that any open proclamation of Bible-based beliefs was a direct and quick path to the stake. He departed for Switzerland and Germany to ascertain how he might further the reformed message from afar.

Calvin, who was of a quiet demeanor, spoke of his joyful awakening to the truths of Christ: “God, by a sudden conversion, subdued and brought my mind to a teachable frame…” But his gentle personality and thoughtful ways were a great asset to the Lord’s cause, and he would find that he had many Protestant friends throughout Europe.

Around the time of Calvin’s departure from France, a group of “eager beaver” French Reformers decided to strike a bold blow against the superstitious and occult practices of the Catholic mass. In their zeal to jump-start the Reformation in France and catch up to the wonderful progress that Germany and Switzerland had made, they drew up a placard exposing the unbiblical teachings repeated at every mass. In a single night they posted it all over France. Someone even posted one to the door of the king’s private chamber. These Protestants, who maintained anonymity, were likely literate and well-educated. Their unharnessed zeal for the Lord, however, created unnecessary strife. Due to the vast biblical illiteracy among the masses, and especially the unconverted population, this message was more than they could conceivably understand or process on “short notice”. Resources for fact-checking did not exist as they do today.

Tragically, this was just the excuse needed to tip the vacillating King Francis I toward the side of Rome. His response: “Let all be seized without distinction who are suspected of Lutheresy. I will exterminate them all!” The sight of “heretics” being burned at the stake on street corners once again became common in France.

“…the Helper…the Spirit of truth…will testify of Me. And you also will bear witness…These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me. But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them…”  John 15:26-16:4a