GOD OPPOSES THE PROUD
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Verse 6 of James chapter 4 begins with this phrase “But He gives more grace.” (ESV)
As I write this devotional I am greatly thankful for the Grace of God. I am also equally thankful that He gives MORE of it. Matter fact the Bible tells us
Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,
I WANT MORE GRACE. I NEED MORE GRACE. WE ALL NEED MORE GRACE.
But there’s a problem, as was one of the problems in the church James was writing to: PRIDE. In this church there were jealousy and envy along with quarreling and fightings that James strongly reproved them of in the earlier verses of this chapter (4). After he offers the grace of God to the believers he now sternly warns them.
THE PROUD
THE PROUD
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
As other Scripture speaks in like manner:
For the Lord of hosts has a day against all that is proud and lofty, against all that is lifted up—and it shall be brought low;
The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.
These six things doth the Lord hate: Yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, Feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, And he that soweth discord among brethren.
GOD OPPOSES THE PROUD. The word opposes there from the Greek word opposes antitassetai means to stand in opposition, to resist or simply to oppose. God presently and continuously stands against the proud.
THE HUMBLE
THE HUMBLE
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,
God gives GRACE to the humble. The word used for humble in the Greek humble tapeinois means to be lowly. Our best example comes from Jesus Christ Himself.
I WANT TO BE LIKE CHRIST. I NEED TO BE MORE LIKE CHRIST
I WANT TO BE LIKE CHRIST. I NEED TO BE MORE LIKE CHRIST
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
GOD HUMBLED HIMSELF. Think of that statement.
If God, the One who is all powerful, all knowing, all present, all wise etc etc, if He (and He did) HUMBLED HIMSELF. Then who am i to hold on to MY PRIDEFUL WAYS?
MY PRAYER
MY PRAYER
MAKE ME MORE LIKE YOU LORD. I NEED MORE GRACE.
I’ll end with these two Scriptures:
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!
GOD BLESS