Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

3.  Did the victory come from what man did or what God did?  Who got the glory?

     Here are three portions of Scripture that plainly tell us to focus on the work of God and the faith of man.  We need to focus on God more and on man less.  We need to believe more, rather than work more.

John 6:28-29

“They said therefore to Him, ‘What shall we do, 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.'”

Romans 4:1-5

“What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found?  For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about; but not before God.  For what does Scripture say? ‘AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.’  Now to the one who works, his wage is not reckoned as a favor, but as what is due.  But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness,”

Galatians 3:2-5

“This is the only thing I want to find out from you:  did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?  Are you so foolish?  Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?  Did you suffer so many things in vain – if indeed it was in vain?  Does He then, who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?”

     Focus on God and what He has done.  Be glad by what God has done.  Sing for joy at the works of God’s hands.

     In John 6:28, the Jews ask the most important question of all time:  “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?”.  That is the central question of human life.

     If you ask a preacher or teacher that question, he or she may answer:  “Go to church.  Attend Sunday School.  Feed and clothe the poor.  Tithe.  Pray.  Witness.”

     Of course, all of these works are good and important.  However, the source of these works should be God working in us.  The question should not be:  “What shall we do?”;  the question should be:  “What is God doing in us?”

     It is our tendency as human beings to focus on ourselves, rather on God.  Church leaders feel pressured to prove their own righteousness through their own works.

     But Jesus answered the Jews with a startling reply:  “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent”.  See John 6:29.

     In Jesus’ few words, He was saying:  “First of all, you can’t work the works of God.  Second, don’t worry about doing the works of God, God does His own work.  This is what God’s work is.  Third, you should focus on your faith in me, rather than on what you should do.  Fourth, you need help to believe in me.  In fact, it is God’s work that enables you to believe in me”.

     Each day we are faced with pressure to prove our own righteousness, and we are often pressured most at church.  We sit silently as we are taught to do a certain church work “to do the works of God”.

     It is hard to trust these words of Jesus.  We feel that faith is only a worthless cloud of dreams and that only works get things done.  However, Jesus reassures us:  “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go to the Father.”  John 14:12.

     We can say with Jesus: “the Father abiding in Me does His works.” (John 14:10).  We can say:  “for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:13.  “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:10.

     In conclusion, focus on God.  Believe God is at work in you. Believe God gives you the will to do His will.  Believe God made you as a unique and precise workmanship to do his works.  We do not have the same gifts;  we do not do the same works.  We are unique and do the works which God prepared just for us beforehand.  “For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, …”  Romans 15:18.