Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Romans 8:33-34.

“Who will bring a charge against God’s elect?  God is the one who justifies;  who is the one who condemns?  Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. ”  Romans 8:33-34.

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If there were was any doubt as to whom the glorious promises from Romans 8:28 to the end of the chapter (and beyond) belong, verse 33 puts an end to any such doubt.  “Who will bring a charge against God’s elect?  God is the one who justifies;”  Verse 33.  The glorious promises belong to God’s elect.

The glorious promise that “God causes all things to work together for good” belongs to God’s elect.  Romans 8:28.

The glorious promises of being conformed to the image of His Son, being called, being justified, and being glorified, belong to God’s elect.  Romans 8:29-30.

The glorious promise that “God is for us” belongs to God’s elect.  Romans 8:31.

The glorious promise that God “freely give us all things” belongs to God’s elect.  Romans 8:32.

The glorious promise that God justifies us (so that no charge nor condemnation that can stand against us) belongs to God’s elect.  Romans 8:33-34.

The glorious promise that Christ intercedes for us belongs to God’s elect.  Romans 8:34.

The glorious promise that nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord, belong to God’s elect.  Romans 8:35-39.

Consider what the Canons of Dordt state in the section FIRST HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of Divine Predestination.

Article 9.  This election was not founded upon foreseen faith, and the obedience of faith, holiness, or any other good quality of disposition in man, as the pre-requisite, cause or condition on which it depended;  but men are chosen to faith and to the obedience of faith, holiness, etc., therefore election is the fountain of every saving good;  from which proceed faith, holiness, and the other gifts of salvation, and finally eternal life itself, as its fruits and effects, according to that of the apostle:  “He hath chosen us (not because we were) but that we should be holy, and without blame, before him in love,”  Ephesians 1:4.

Therefore, “election is the fountain of every saving good”.   All the gifts of salvation belong to God’s elect.

Yet, other doctrine still hates God’s predestination, loves man’s alleged free-will, and hides and minimizes God’s election. 

But, Reformed Doctrine loves and cherishes and declares God’s predestination, knowing that it is man’s only hope for salvation.  Reformed Doctrine loves God’s most gracious will and purpose.  

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.  In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.”  Ephesians 1:3-6.