No man is excluded from calling upon God, the gate of salvation

Children, gather close, for the wisdom I share with you today carries the weight of truth and the warmth of hope. John Calvin, a man whose teachings have shaped the hearts of millions, once said, "No man is excluded from calling upon God, the gate of salvation is set open unto all men: neither is there any other thing which keepeth us back from entering in, save only our own unbelief." In these words lies the essence of faith—a universal truth that speaks to all of humanity. The gate of salvation is open to all, and yet it is our own unbelief that bars us from walking through it.

In these words, Calvin speaks of the divine invitation—the call that goes out to every soul, regardless of their station, their past, or their weaknesses. The gate of salvation is not a narrow door, locked and guarded, waiting only for a select few. No, it is wide open to all who seek it with a humble heart and an open spirit. Yet, though the invitation is universal, it is often our own doubts, our unbelief, that keep us from entering. It is not God who bars us from salvation, but ourselves, through the walls of fear, pride, and skepticism we build around our hearts.

Think, children, of the great saints of the past—those who answered the call to salvation and walked through the open gate. St. Augustine, once lost in the chaos of his youth, found his way to God through the profound understanding that faith was not just a matter of intellect, but of the heart. His journey was marked by doubt, by struggles with sin, yet he ultimately realized that it was not the obstacles of the world that kept him from salvation, but his own inner turmoil and unbelief. He had to confront his own reluctance, his own fears, before he could open his heart to God’s grace. His story, like Calvin’s words, teaches us that salvation is not withheld by God—it is often withheld by the barriers we place in our own souls.

Martin Luther, too, in his rebellion against the corruption of the Church, understood that salvation came not through works or rituals, but through faith. It was his understanding of God’s grace—freely given, not earned—that set him on a path of true freedom. He realized, as Calvin suggests, that the gate was open for all, but many were kept from it by their own distrust in God's mercy. Luther’s own transformation came when he let go of his doubts and embraced the truth that no one is excluded from God’s grace, except those who close their hearts to it.

And yet, children, the unbelief that Calvin speaks of is not just the doubt in the existence of God, but the deeper disbelief in God’s love and forgiveness. How many times do we find ourselves thinking we are not worthy of God’s grace, or that we must first be perfect before we can enter the gate? This, too, is a form of unbelief—a refusal to trust in the boundless mercy that awaits all who seek it. The gate of salvation is not a place for the perfect, but for the humble, the broken, and the seeking. It is the faith in God's love that opens the gate, not our perfection.

Children, the lesson here is clear: the gate to salvation is open to all. There is no one so lost, so broken, that they cannot find their way through it. The only thing that keeps us from entering is the unbelief that we hold in our hearts. We must learn to lay down our doubts, to trust in the love and grace of God, and to step forward with faith. The gate is open, but we must choose to walk through it.

In your lives, children, remember this truth. When you face struggles, when you encounter doubts, know that the gate of salvation is always open before you. It is not your flaws or sins that keep you away, but your own fear and unbelief. Let go of the walls you have built around your heart. Trust in God’s mercy, and let His love guide you. The path may not always be easy, but it is always open, and it is always there for you to walk through, if only you have the courage to believe. God is waiting to welcome you—come, and walk through the gate.