sitting in judgment

To this question, I insist, we must apply our mind if we would profitably inquire concerning true righteousness: How shall we reply to the Heavenly Judge when he calls us to account? Let us envisage for ourselves that Judge, not as our minds naturally imagine him, but as he is depicted for us in Scripture: by whose brightness the stars are darkened; by whose strength the mountains are melted; by whose wrath the earth is shaken; whose wisdom catches the wise in their craftiness; beside whose purity all things are defiled; whose righteousness not even the angels can bear; who makes not the guilty man innocent; whose vengeance when once kindled penetrates to the depths of hell. Let us behold him, I say, sitting in judgment to examine the deeds of men: Who will stand confident before his throne? "Who . . . can dwell with the devouring fire?" asks the prophet. "Who . . . can dwell with everlasting burnings? He who walks righteously and speaks the truth" [Isa. 33:14-15p.], etc. But let such a one, whoever he is, come forward. Nay, that response causes no one to come forward. For, on the contrary, a terrible voice resounds: "If thou, O Lord, shouldst mark iniquities, Lord, who shall stand?"

John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, ed. by John T. McNeill, Book III, Chapter XII, Section 1, "No one is righteous before God's judgment seat," p. 755.

to die well is to live well

I have been talking with Ernest about Amelia. "What do you think," I asked, "about her last days on earth? Was there really any preparation for her death?"

"These scenes are very painful," he returned. "Of course there is but one real preparation for Christian dying, and that is Christian living."

"But the sickroom often does what a prosperous life never did!"

"Not often. Sick persons delude themselves or are deluded by their friends; they do not believe they are really about to die. Besides, they are bewildered and exhausted by disease; and what mental strength they have is occupied with studying symptoms, watching for the doctor, and the like. I do not now recall a single instance where a worldly Christian died a happy, joyful death, in all my patience (sic)."

"Well, in one sense it makes no difference whether they die happily or not. The question is, do they die in the Lord?"

"It may make no vital difference to them; but we must not forget that God is honored or dishonored by the way a Christian dies as well as by the way in which he lives. There is great significance in the description given in the Bible of the death by which John should 'Glorify God' (John 21:19); to my mind it implies that to die well is to live well."

Elizabeth Prentiss, Stepping Heavenward, Barbour Publishing, Inc., 1998, p. 227

the divine character

If we say that God is love, what are we thinking that his love must look like?

And furthermore, is love all that the Bible says that God is? Doesn't the Bible say that God is a Spirit? How does a Spirit love? Doesn't the Bible say that God is holy? How does a Holy Spirit love? Doesn't the Bible say that God is unique, that there is none other like him? How does the only perfect Holy Spirit in the universe love? How can you know if he doesn't tel you? Can you surmise it, figure it out, assume it from your own experience, or chart out how it would be from your own heart? John Calvin said:

It is plain that no man can arrive at the true knowledge of himself, without having first contemplated the divine character, and then descended to the consideration of his own. For, such is the native pride of us all, we invariably esteem ourselves righteous, innocent, wise and holy, till we are convinced by clear proofs, of our unrighteousness, turpitude, folly and impurity. But we are never thus convinced, while we confine our attention to ourselves, and regard not the Lord, who is the only standard by which this judgment ought to be formed.

Mark Dever, The Gospel and Personal Evangelism, "What is the Gospel?" p. 36-27
(John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, ed. John T. McNeil, 1.1.35)