February 1 Daily Devotional

Bible Verse

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good for those who love him, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us." (Rom. 8:28–34).

Devotional

Behold the eternal security of the weakest believer in Jesus. God can never revoke the verdict of justification, based on the finished work of Christ, without denying himself. Here is your safety.

Here is the ground of your bold challenge, "Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies." What more can I need? What more can I ask? If God, the God of spotless purity, the God of inflexible righteousness, justifies me, then "who is to condemn?" Sin may condemn, but it is God who justifies! The law may alarm, but it is God who justifies! Satan may accuse, but it is God who justifies! Death may terrify, but it is God who justifies! "If God is for us, who can be against us?" Who will dare condemn the soul whom he justifies?

How gloriously this truth will shine forth in the great day of judgment! Every accuser will then be mute. Every tongue will then be silent. Nothing shall be laid to the charge of God's elect. God himself has declared them fully and forever justified: "And those he justifies, he also glorifies" (Rom. 8:30).

A debtor to mercy alone,
of covenant mercy I sing;
nor fear, with thy righteousness on,
my person and off'ring to bring.
The terrors of law and of God
with me can have nothing to do;
My Savior's obedience and blood
hide all my transgressions from view.

The work which his goodness began,
the arm of his strength will complete;
his promise is Yea and Amen,
and never was forfeited yet.
Things future, nor things that are now,
nor all things below or above,
can make him his purpose forgo,
or sever my soul from his love.

My name from the palms of his hands
eternity will not erase;
impressed on his heart it remains,
in marks of indelible grace.
Yes, I to the end shall endure,
as sure as the Earnest is given;
more happy, but not more secure,
the glorified spirits in heav'n.

(Augustus Toplady, 1740-1788)

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.