January 10 Daily Devotional

Bible Verse

"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus." (Acts 4:13).

Devotional

We have a right to look for one or more of the moral features of our dear Lord's character in his people. Some resemblance to his image that marks the man of God—some lowliness of mind, gentleness of temper, humility of conduct, charity, patience in enduring affliction, meekness in suffering persecution, forgiveness of injuries, returning good for evil, blessing for cursing—in a word, some portion of "the fruit of the Spirit," which is "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control" (Gal. 5:22–23).

If one or more of these are not "yours and are increasing, [so that] they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Pet. 1:8), if you are not growing in a resemblance to his likeness, then you have great reason to doubt whether you have ever "known the grace of God in truth" (Col. 1:6).

That indeed is a melancholy profession in which nothing can be traced that identifies the man with Jesus—nothing in his principles, his motives, his tone of mind, his spirit, his very looks, that reminds one of Christ—that draws the heart to him, that makes the name of Immanuel fragrant, and that lifts the soul in ardent desires to be like him too.

This is the influence which a believer exerts, who carries with him a resemblance to his Lord and Master. A holy man is a blessing where ever he is. He is "an aroma of Christ to God" (2 Cor. 2:15) everywhere he goes.

More about Jesus would I know,
more of his grace to others show,
more of his saving fullness see,
more of his love who died for me.

Chorus:
More, more about Jesus,
more, more about Jesus,
more of his saving fullness see,
more of his love who died for me.

More about Jesus let me learn,
more of his holy will discern;
Spirit of God, my teacher be,
showing the things of Christ to me.
(chorus)

More about Jesus in his Word,
holding communion with my Lord;
hearing his voice in ev'ry line,
making each faithful saying mine.
(chorus)

More about Jesus on his throne,
riches in glory all his own;
more of his kingdom's sure increase;
more of his coming, Prince of Peace.
(chorus)

(Eliza E. Hewitt, 1851–1920)

Be sure to read the Preface by Octavius Winslow and A Note from the Editor by Larry E. Wilson.

Larry Wilson is an ordained minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. In addition to having served as the General Secretary of the Committee on Christian Education of the OPC (2000–2004) and having written a number of articles and booklets (such as God's Words for Worship and Why Does the OPC Baptize Infants) for New Horizons and elsewhere, he has pastored OPC churches in Minnesota, Indiana, and Ohio. We are grateful to him for his editing of Morning Thoughts, the OPC Daily Devotional for 2025.