Calvin on Despair

This puts a new perspective on despair...

"But while the unrighteousness and condemnation of all are attested by the law, it does not follow that we are immediately to give up all hope and rush headlong into despair. No doubt, it has some such effect upon the reprobate, but this is owing to their obstinacy. With the children of God the effect is different. The Apostle testifies that the law pronounces its sentence of condemnation in order that every mouth may be stopped and all the world may become guilty before God (Rom 3:19)...in other words, that divesting themselves of an absurd opinion of their own virtue, they may perceive how they are wholly dependent on the hand of God; that feeling how naked and destitute they are, they may take refuge in his mercy, rely upon it, and cover themselves wholly in it..." (from Calvin's Institutes)

If I understand Calvin correctly, he is saying that despair doesn't necessarily come from how bad we view our sin, but how stubborn we are in our sin, especially when it comes to doubting God's mercy and goodness. This makes sense if we take Cain for example. After God had warned him to gaurd his heart against the dangers of sin Cain carried out the heinous crime of murdering his brother in cold blood. Still, God still came to him in mercy giving him a chance to explain (I know this is arguable, too, but please bear with me!). Cain persisted in his stubbornness and hard-heartedness towards God, ultimately resulting in separation and despair. One of Satan's greatest tactics is telling us that we've sinned so badly God can't possibly forgive such rebellion so we might as well go on in sin. Without a view of God's goodness there is little no hope of true repentance.

We need not add to our sin by despairing, but rather we should look to Christ and cast all our sins upon Him who knew no sin, for it is through Him God is able to forgive sinners!