In general, we apply doctrine by meditating on it. Once God has revealed Himself, His actions, and their meaning, once He has told us who we are, alone and in Christ, we need to consider the implications of His truth.
While it’s easy to name one or two implications of almost any doctrine, many doctrines invite numerous applications. In his Institutes, Calvin shows this as he explores the implication of God’s providence for many pages. Let’s consider five:
First, those who know God’s power “safely rest in the protection” of the one who controls all the harmful things we fear. Second, God’s providence requires humility, for we should not call God to account for His actions, but “reverence his secret judgments” and “consider his will the truly just cause of all things.” Third, the godly will neither murmur against God’s will nor fatalistically give up planning. We order our affairs, knowing God employs our means to effect His providence. We submit our plans to His will. Fourth, rather than straining against God’s providence, we find solace in it, since “the Lord watches over the ways of the saints with … great diligence.” Therefore, we must enjoy “patience in adversity and…freedom from worry about the future”. Finally, the doctrine of providence helps us in our adversities. Remembering that God willed them, we have an “effective remedy for anger and impatience.” He even permits “the acts of our enemies”. Yes, dangers threaten at every turn, but instead of letting them terrify us, we trust that God lets nothing touch us unless He has ordained it.
Calvin exemplifies the wise practice of theologians who meditate on doctrine, asking, “Who needs this truth? How does it warn, rebuke, call to repentance? How does it offer hope, direction, redemption, and healing?” If we take our time with these questions, we will find doctrine to be most practical.
– Daniel Doriani, TableTalk, May 2015