In this article, I am defining a Calvinist as a Christian who holds the doctrines of grace of the reformed tradition. The hope of a Calvinist is not in John Calvin, but Jesus Christ.

You may have heard the phrase work like an Arminian and sleep like a Calvinist. I would propose work like a Calvinist and rest like a Calvinist. I understand that some may not prefer the term “Calvinist” but what I simply mean is one who has followed in the Reformed Christian Tradition of Calvin.

How do we work like a Calvinist?

Being a Calvinist is not eating cheetos on the couch and listening to John Piper or John MacArthur sermons the rest of your life. Being a Calvinist is putting your hand on the plow, knowing that God is going to keep your hand on the plow, knowing that God is the one who will provide the rain for the crops, knowing that the Lord of the harvest will grow the crops, and the Lord of the harvest will keep the crops. (Sovereignty gives hard work purpose – certainty). The Calvinist can rest well because it is not he who gives growth, it is God who gives growth (1 Corinthians 3:6-9). The Calvinist can work hard in life and gospel ministry knowing that he is not the one who changes hearts but shares the message (Ephesians 2, Romans 10). We know it is not about how tight we hold the rope, but how tight Jesus holds on to us. Reforming is not like taking a hammer to a glass house, but like chiseling a rock with precision. Our anger doesn’t serve people well, but our joy in Jesus serves others. We rest not in our eloquence, but in God. We rest not in our ability, but in God. We rest not in a performance, but in God.

Can you make the grass grow? If you can’t, I would hope that you would work well and rest well in the Lord of All.

We only get one life and it will soon pass. Only what is done for Christ will last!

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Evan Knies is an elder at North Hills Church in West Monroe, LA. He is the husband of Lauren and father to Maesyn. He is a graduate of Boyce College and Southern Seminary.