Devotion[1]

In 1533, God set into motion a series of events that would provide His church with one of its greatest gifts received over the past 500 years. After coming to saving faith in Jesus Christ and renouncing his commitment to Roman Catholicism as a priest, Alexander Canus was sentenced to death for heralding the doctrine of justification by faith alone throughout Lyons (France). The extravagance of God’s saving grace, offered freely to all who repent of their sin and call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, had radically converted this Frenchman into a bold ambassador for the Most High.

When brought before the French Parliament prior to his execution, Canus was chained and beaten mercilessly before thousands of observers. After both of his legs were broken and his frame marred beyond visible recognition, Canus was offered the opportunity to recant of his newly acquired convictions and reaffirm the dogmas embraced by Roman Catholicism. Despite the relentless torture and ever-present temptation to cater to the wishes of his interlocutors, Canus instead cried out before the masses, “O God, there is neither pity nor mercy in these men! Oh, that I may find both in thee!”

Upon witnessing Canus’ unwavering resolve to hold fast to his new-found beliefs, the French Parliament was left with no choice but to carry out his execution; he was to be burned alive at the stake. As Canus was being carried to the place of his demise, he began to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the very people who were preparing to put him to death. In the midst of Canus’ open air preaching, shock and utter disbelief began to permeate the room full of witnesses. “He is going to be burned,” said the people, “yet no one seems so happy as he!” While being bound to the stake, Canus was consumed with the comforting ministry of the Holy Spirit within his soul. Prior to the flame engulfing his body, it is said that Canus confidently proclaimed, “O God, is there any higher honor than to receive the treatment which thy Son received in the house of Herod?!”

Moved with compassion and remorse, many in the crowd began to weep over the brutal death endured by Canus. “Surely there is nothing worthy of death in this man,” cried some. Others exclaimed, “if this man is not saved, who then can be?!” Amongst those in the crowd of onlookers was a 24 year old man who had recently been converted. The young man’s name was John Calvin and having been so moved by the events surrounding Canus’ martyrdom, Calvin would soon go on to devote the rest of his life to ministry. Calvin would go on to become, arguably, the greatest Bible expositor to ever live and his theological treatises have continued to bless God’s people to the present day.

The circumstances surrounding Alexander Canus’ martyrdom is a vivid illustration of Spirit-produced patience and serves as a reminder that this Christlike virtue is a powerful witnessing tool for God’s kingdom. The Greek rendering for patience (makrothymia) is perhaps better translated into English as long-suffering, and as described above, that’s exactly how Alexander Canus acted towards those who murdered him in 1533. To exhibit Christlike patience is to not return evil for evil, but instead, willfully accept difficult or painful circumstances with confidence in God’s purposes for permitting them (1 Peter 3:8-9). As an integral component of Spirit-produced love, patience is a virtue that Christians are commanded to exhibit towards all of their neighbors indiscriminately (1 Corinthians 13:4). Moreover, as seen in Scripture, this wonderful virtue is put on an even greater (perfect) display by the triune God Himself (Romans 2:1-4). Consider just a few examples:

God the Father

In writing about God’s patience towards sinners, as demonstrated by His continual withholding of judgment on unregenerate mankind, the Apostle Peter said,

“8 But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. 9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:8-9).

God the Son  

When reflecting on how Jesus Christ treated himself in view of his own salvation, the Apostle Paul declared,

“13 …Even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor, I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; 14 and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. 15 It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. 16 Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life” (1 Timothy 1:13-16).

God the Holy Spirit

In Ephesians 4:30 and 1 Thessalonians 5:19, the Apostle Paul instructs his readers to “not grieve the Holy Spirit” and to “not quench the Holy Spirit.” Implied in both of these passages is the reality that Believers can be susceptible to disobeying the guidance of the Holy Spirit and as a result, sin against the third person of the Godhead. Nevertheless, despite the frequent shortcomings of Christians, the Holy Spirit remains patient towards us. He has sealed all Believers for the day of redemption, and as a result, He will always be faithful to God’s people.

Praise be to God that when we are faithless to Him, He remains immutably faithful to us (2 Timothy 2:13). This week, make it your prayer and concentration to not take God’s patience for granted in your own life. Furthermore, ask the Lord to grant you the ability, by His Spirit’s work within you, to be more consistent in reflecting His patience towards those He has placed in your life.

Weekly Passages For Meditation:

Monday- Exodus 34:1-8

34 Now the Lord said to Moses, “Cut out for yourself two stone tablets like the former ones, and I will write on the tablets the words that were on the former tablets which you shattered. 2 So be ready by morning, and come up in the morning to Mount Sinai, and present yourself there to Me on the top of the mountain. 3 No man is to come up with you, nor let any man be seen anywhere on the mountain; even the flocks and the herds may not graze in front of that mountain.” 4 So he cut out two stone tablets like the former ones, and Moses rose up early in the morning and went up to Mount Sinai, as the Lord had commanded him, and he took two stone tablets in his hand. 5 The Lord descended in the cloud and stood there with him as he called upon the name of the Lord. 6 Then the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; 7 who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.” 8 Moses made haste to bow low toward the earth and worship.

Tuesday- Ephesians 4:1-6

4 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

Wednesday- James 1:18-21

18 In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures. 19 This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.

Thursday- 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24

12 But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, 13 and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. 14 We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. 16 Rejoice always; 17 pray without ceasing; 18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not quench the Spirit; 20 do not despise prophetic utterances. 21 But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; 22 abstain from every form of evil. 23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.

Friday- James 5:7-12

7 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. 8 You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. 9 Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door. 10 As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful. 12 But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but your yes is to be yes, and your no, no, so that you may not fall under judgment.

Saturday- 1 Peter 2:19-25

19 For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. 21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, 22 who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; 23 and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. 25 For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.

[1] The testimony about Alexander Canus can be found in The Life of John Calvin (Thomas Lawson), Pages 56-57.