He giveth more grace

Bible Reading: James 4
James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

God's grace is amazing and is greater than all our sin! However, who does God give his grace to? He gives it to the humble. The proud person finds that God is resisting him. James helps us understand how to get into a grace-receiving situation before God. We must:

James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

The proud person makes sure that they are lifted up. Some times they exalt themselves. But the Bible tells us to humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord. How do we do that?

James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

We submit to God and resist the devil. We do this by realizing who God is and our great need for him. We submit to God when we seek his will in his word and heed what Jesus tells us.

James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

We draw near to God through prayer. We accept the multitude of invitations in the Scriptures to come to Jesus by prayer. As we do this, we will realize our sin and confess to him. This is the cleansing that will take place.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

When we are serious about submitting to God and we draw nigh to him, we will also see ourselves in truth. This will bring out our condition apart from Christ and we will mourn.

James 4:9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.

We will not have to manufacture this. When we truly draw near to God this will be evident. When we humble ourselves before God, we can be assured that he will lift us up. Like a child in a father's arms, we will be lifted up near to the smiling face of our loving Heavenly Father who gives grace!

In Christ,
Rody