March 4 Daily Devotional

Bible Verse

"...looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith..." (Hebrews 12:2).

Devotional

Beware of putting your faith in your faith. There is a danger—and it cannot be too vigilantly guarded against—of confusing the work of the Spirit and the work of Christ. It is this mistake that leads so many of God's saints to look for the certainty of their calling and acceptance in what the Holy Spirit is doing in them instead of in what Christ has already done for them. In this way, so many stay in a state of bondage and fear throughout their entire spiritual path. The great question is never fully and fairly settled. In other words, they are never quite sure of their salvation.

The work of Jesus Christ is a great and finished work. It is so glorious that nothing can be compared to it. It is so complete that nothing can be added to it. It is so necessary that nothing can be substituted for it.

As precious as the work of the Holy Spirit in the heart is, and as necessary as it is to salvation, yet if you try to put it where only the work of Jesus ought to be, then you mix up the order of the covenant. You shut off the legitimate source of assurance. And you will bring distress and uncertainty into your soul.

"Righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Rom. 14:17) are indeed the fruit of a full belief in the Lord Jesus Christ. But if you look away from the cross in order to find them, then you will certainly meet with disappointment. They are found in Jesus! On the other hand, if you look away from yourself—from your vileness, guiltiness, emptiness, and poverty—if you look fully and trustingly to Jesus, then you will know the forgiveness of sin. You will experience the love of God poured into your heart (Rom. 5:5).

If your faith is feeble and tried, then, do not be cast down. Faith does not save you, even though it is an instrument of salvation. As such, it is of vast importance, but it always remains only the instrument. It is the finished work of Jesus Christ that is the ground of your salvation; yes, it is your salvation itself! Jesus alone saves you!

Therefore, do not put your faith in your faith. Do not try to make your faith into your savior. Do not despise it if it is feeble. Do not exult in it if it is strong. Do not tramp on it if it is small. Do not idolize it if it is great. Such are the extremes to which every believer is exposed. If your faith is feeble and sharply tried, it is no evidence that you are not a believer. The evidence of your acceptance in the Beloved instead comes from Jesus alone.

Therefore let your constant motto be, "looking to Jesus." Look to Jesus just as you are. Look to Jesus when faith is feeble. Look to Jesus when faith is tried. Look to Jesus when faith is declining. Yes, look to Jesus even when you fear that you have no faith. Look up, tried and tempted soul! Jesus is the Author, the Sustainer, and he will become the Finisher of your faith.

Everything you need is in Jesus! One glimpse (even if it is dim) of his cross, one touch (even though it is trembling) of his garment, will lift you from your lowest depths, lighten your heaviest load, and brighten your darkest prospect. And when you arrive at Jordan's brink, it will bear you safely through its turbulence, and land you on the sunny and lush shores of Canaan.

Jesus, keep me near the cross;
there a precious fountain,
free to all—a healing stream—
flows from Calvary's mountain.

Refrain: In the cross, in the cross,
be my glory ever;
till my raptured soul shall find
rest beyond the river.

Near the cross, a trembling soul,
love and mercy found me;
there the Sun of Righteousness
spread his wings around me.
(Refrain)

Near the cross! O Lamb of God,
bring its scenes before me;
help me walk from day to day
with its shadow o'er me.
(Refrain)

Near the cross I'll watch and wait,
hoping, trusting ever,
till I reach the golden strand
just beyond the river.
(Refrain)

(Fanny J. Crosby, 1869 [st. 2 alt., LEW, 1984])

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.