Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.

 Romans 8

Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Romans 8:33

I pause my study of 1,2,3 John this morning to listen to DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotional, which today highlights Romans 8:33 and how believers experience no condemnation by God (see also Romans 8:1).  We are as the devotional is so aptly entitled "Finally and Totally Justified." John Piper emphasizes how God is the one who justifies and because there is no higher authority on earth or in the heavens, this justification is complete and final.  This justification gives believers security in their salvation, as Piper describes "[t]he point: unshakable security in the face of tremendous suffering. If God is for us, no one can successfully be against us. If God gave his Son for us, he will give us everything that is good for us. If God is the one who justifies us, no charge against us can stand."  This security enables us to live with a boldness in our faith because we know that no matter what the world can throw at us, God saves and this cannot be taken from us. We should not worry what the world does to us because God saves. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are so good...I am SO grateful that You not only cleanse me from my sins but I am justified in Your eyes and so my salvation is secure.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Nevertheless, for the sake of his servant David, the Lord was not willing to destroy Judah. He had promised to maintain a lamp for David and his descendants forever.

2 Kings 8

Nevertheless, for the sake of his servant David, the Lord was not willing to destroy Judah. He had promised to maintain a lamp for David and his descendants forever. v19

When Jehoram becomes king of Judah, "[h]e followed the ways of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for he married a daughter of Ahab. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord" v18.

God always keeps his promises - He made a promise (the Davidic Covenant) and He kept it.

According to John Piper, this is the same as the promise God makes to all believers in His Son - that we are saved and that if we persevere in our faith we will not lose our salvation.

God is faithful!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an amazing God You are that You are SO faithful!  We can depend on You and Your promises when all of the world lets us down.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love - You are my rock!  Please forgive me for my selfishness and worry.  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Please help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels.

Revelation 3

I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels. v5

Eternal life in Heaven with Christ the Father can never be taken from us...it is a gift of God.  We should find rest in this assurance.

My Prayer: Lord, You are a great God that has provided the greatest gift of all time....Your Son!  Christ has suffered and died for me so that I can have freedom from sin and eternal life in Heaven with Him.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such an incredible gift.  I am lazy.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me find peace and assurance that this gift can never be taken from me.  Give me strength. Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.