âOn the Christian Lifeâ is an excerpt from John Calvinâs monumental work, Institutes of the Christian Religion. This section focuses on how being a Christian influences a personâs day-to-day life. Calvin describes how a Christian must deny himself daily in order to bear the cross of Christ and live out the duties of his faith. Christians are to live with an eye on the future, but Calvin also provides guidelines for how to enjoy the present comforts of life.