[Dr. Eckleburg]

Our ability to perform good works, just like our ability to obey and repent and believe, are all given by God alone because it pleases Him to see His Son in us, not because He sees our own righteousness.

"For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive?" -- 1 Corinthians 4:7

"John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven." -- John 3:27

"He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given." -- Matthew 13:11

"Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God." -- 1 Corinthians 2:12

Good works are the evidence of our redemption, not a requirement for it. Paul tells us our good works are the proof of God's will working within us...

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." -- Romans 12:2

To misunderstand God's will in election and Christ's justification of us through nothing in ourselves but through His obedience and sacrifice alone is to misunderstand the fundamental nature of God and the life He's given us in Christ.

"Since God has chosen to reserve the treasure of true wisdom for His children, it is not surprising that there is so much ignorance and stupidity in the majority of men. In this majority, I include even those specially chosen -- until they are grafted into the body of the church.... If, at any time, we are troubled at the small number of those who believe, let us remember that no one can understand the mysteries of God, except those to whom it is given." -- John Calvin, Chapter 8, Institutes of the Christian Religion

[bornacatholic]

If, at any time, we are troubled at the small number of those who believe, let us remember that no one can understand the mysteries of God, except those to whom it is given." -- John Calvin, Chapter 8, Institutes of the Christian Religion

*I'm gonna go out on a limb here...I'll bet Jean Cauvin WAS chosen by God to understand those mysteries. Am I right?

[annalex]

Our ability to perform good works, just like our ability to obey and repent and believe, are all given by God alone because it pleases Him to see His Son in us, not because He sees our own righteousness

True enough, although I would add "our ability to perform good works freely".

Good works are the evidence of our redemption, not a requirement for it

They are both. "Work out your redemtion with fear and trembling because it is God working in you"; "I will judge you according to your works" and similare says it all. Nowhere does the scripture say "sit around and wait till the evidence of your faith shows up", let alone "sin boldly". "Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind" is a call to exercise free will, albeit in this case, intellectually.

no one can understand the mysteries of God, except those to whom it is given

Not to Calvin, evidently. The only giving of mysteries the scripture records is to the Apostles and therefore to the Catholic Church.