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Recognition of Christ‘s sovereignty during this intermediate
period extends the the gracious attributes of Christ to the believer.
Thus, in the midst of difficulty, Christ‘s grace, power, beauty, and
magnificence become manifest in the believer as they take on the
character of their sovereign. United with Christ, they show forth
the ―fruit to his glory‖ both now and in the expectation of the ―full
fruit of this grace in the age to come.‖ 190 In this manner, Christ the
King serves as both the source and goal of man‘s glory. Further, as
the fulfillment of the Davidic kingship, Christ is both ruler and
pastor of his people. As ruler, Christ establishes the order of the
church and reestablishing God‘s peaceable kingdom amongst his
people. As Pastor, he protects his flock in their current weakness.
In both he restores God‘s rightful rule over his people and
engenders the trust and obedience required for man to once again
approach God in the true image of God: Jesus Christ himself.
Christ as Priest reconciles God to man and man to God. This
reconciliation brought about by Christ‘s sacrificial death
overcomes man‘s defilement and separation from God. As we
have previously noted, man‘s distrust and disobedience separated
man from God‘s Word. Apart from Christ, according to Calvin,
―our prayers have no access to God unless Christ, as our High
priest, having washed away our sins sanctifies us and obtains for us
that grace from which the uncleanness of our transgressions and
vices debars us.‖ 191 Christ, however, through his death on the
cross, his resurrection and ascension to the right hand of the Father
becomes humankind‘s ―everlasting intercessor.‖ 192 ―Through his
pleading we obtain favor. Hence arises not only trust in prayer, but
also peace for godly consciences, while they safely lean upon
God‘s fatherly mercy and are surely persuaded that whatever has
been consecrated through the Mediator is pleasing to God.‖ 193
190
Institute 2.15.3
191
Institute 2.15.6.
192
ibid.
193
ibid.