As some of you may know, I am daily reading through Scripture in its order. Today’s devotion included Acts 7:30-43.
The key verse is Acts 7:41: “At that time they made a calf and brought a sacrifice to the idol, and were rejoicing in the works of their hands.” (Emphasis added.)
“Rejoicing in the works of their hands” can take different forms. Here, it was in the action of making a golden calf. But, it can also be in the making of the good works they think is needed to earn salvation. These “doers” rejoice in their good works. See Galatians Chapter 3. It can even be in as little of an action as being wise enough to exercise one’s free will to decide for Christ. These “willers” rejoice in their free will and in their wisdom. See I Corinthians 1:18-31.
But, salvation does not depend on either man’s good works or man’s will and wisdom. “For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.” So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.” Romans 9:15-16.
“For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God. But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.” I Corinthians 1:26-31. (Emphasis added.)
The truth and beauty of Reformed doctrine is that it emphasizes God’s work. Throughout Scripture, we see the emphasis of the works which God has done. For example, consider Psalm 40:5: “Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders which You have done, And Your thoughts toward us; There is none to compare with You If I would declare and speak of them, They would be too numerous to count.” Psalm 40:5.
Consider also John 6: 28-29: “Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.’ ” (Emphasis added.)
Just as Jesus here changed the focus from what man should do for God to what God has done, Reformed doctrine tries to imitate by its emphasis of God’s sovereignty. Just as Jesus here changed the focus from works to faith, Reformed doctrine tries to imitate by its emphasis of justification by faith alone. Just as Jesus here changed the focus from man generating his own faith to God even giving faith, Reformed doctrine tries to imitate by its emphasis of “Irresistable Grace” (The “I’ in “TULIP” – See Link to the right on “TULIP”) .
In conclusion, sin is just the opposite. We see sin in the rejoicing of their work in building the golden calf. We see sin in the rejoicing and confidence that their good works will earn them salvation. We can even see sin in the rejoicing of their own free will and wisdom to decide for Christ as if their action will earn them salvation. In summary, we see sin wherever there is the rejoicing in the works of their hands that gives glory to man rather than to God.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 