February 12 Daily Devotional

Bible Verse

"For those whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son" (Rom. 8:29).

Devotional

Here is the glorious pattern of a child of God. Sanctification is a conformity to the image and the example of Christ. O believer, the more you are growing to be like Jesus, the more you are growing in holiness. And contrariwise, the less you resemble Christ—in your principles, in the habit of your mind, in your spirit, temper, daily walk, indeed in your every action and every look—the less are you advancing in the great work of holiness.

Alas, many who profess the dear name of Jesus and expect to be with him forever never pause to consider what resemblance they bear to him now! And if they were to engage faithfully, with conscience, in the much-neglected duty of self-examination; were they to bring themselves to this great standard, how far below it they would be found to have come! How much would be discovered that is unlike Christ—in their principles; in their governing motives; in their temper, spirit, and daily conduct; how much in their walk in the world; in their behavior in the church; and in their more hidden conduct in their families, or in secret! How much that is "from beneath," how little that is "from above!" How much of the "image of the earthly," how little of the "image of the heavenly!"

But look at our dear Lord—how lowly he is! How holy he is! Look at his poverty of spirit, lowliness of heart, humility, tenderness, forgiveness of injuries, self-denial, prayerfulness, zeal for his Father's glory, yearnings for the salvation of men.

Oh, to be like Jesus! Oh, to grow up into him in all things! This is to "walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him" (Col. 1:10). This is to realize "the will of God, your sanctification" (1 Thess. 4:3).

Accordingly, always remember that an advancing believer is one growing in a resemblance and conformity to the image and example of Christ.

Jesus, merciful and mild,
lead me as a helpless child:
on no other arm but thine
would my weary soul recline.
Thou art ready to forgive,
thou canst bid the sinner live;
guide the wand'rer, day by day,
in the strait and narrow way.

Thou canst fit me by thy grace
for the heav'nly dwelling-place;
all thy promises are sure,
ever shall thy love endure;
then what more could I desire,
how to greater bliss aspire?
All I need, in thee I see;
thou art all in all to me.

Jesus, Savior all Divine,
hast thou made me truly thine?
Hast thou bought me by thy blood?
Reconciled my heart to God?
Hearken to my tender prayer,
let me thine own image bear,
let me love thee more and more
till I reach heav'n's blissful shore.

(Thomas Hastings, 1858)

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.