“HE GIVES MORE GRACE”
“But He gives more grace. Therefore He says:
‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble’ “
(James 4:6).
ACCORDING To renowned Christian author Warren Wiersbe, «the believer has three enemies: the world, the flesh, and the devil.* In James 4 we find the three of them showing off their weapons and marksmanship, intimidating us with their power. They present themselves as invincible adversaries that mock our weakness. They conspire to extend their ruthless control; they dominate us and make us envious, covetous, forcing us to live only to please our most shameful desires, to satisfy appetites that leave our souls feeling empty. They tie us with chains that draw us away from God and make it greatly difficult to interact with Him.
But just as the outlook seems irreversible, the apostle proclaims, “But He gives more grace” (James 4:6). The contrast could not be more striking. The world, the flesh, and Satan give us adultery, covetousness, selfishness, murder, destruction; but our loving Lord gives us “more grace.» In other words, no matter how strongly the chains of the world, the flesh, and the devil have tied us down, God’s grace will always be greater than the sins we have committed due to the temptations of these three enemies. That “greater grace” can break off our friendship with evil and make us inseparable friends of good. Paul expressed the same truth when he said, “Where sin abounded, grace abounded much more» (Romans 5:20). God’s work will always exceed Satan’s power.
I like how Charles Spurgeon comments on that change in situation: “Note that contrast; note it always. Observe how weak we are, how strong He is; how proud we are, how condescending He is; how erring we are, and how infallible He is; how changing we are, and how immutable He is; how provoking we are, and how forgiving He is. Observe how in us there is only ill, and how in Him there is only good. Yet our ill but draws His goodness forth, and still He blesses. Oh! What a rich contrast!’“
Some time ago I met a young man who decided to walk in the paths of the world, the flesh, and sin. What did he encounter? Pain, tragedy, and suffering. Until one day he understood there is abundant grace in Christ to cover all his sins and cleanse his life of wickedness. That day his heart understood that God’s grace will always be greater. Does your heart already know that?
” Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Mature (Wheaton, Illinois: Victor Books, 198ó), p. 106.
«» Charles Spurgeon, «More and More,“ sermon (May 20, I915). Christian Classics Ethereal Library, https://cceI.org/cceI/spurgeon/sermons61/sermons6’I.xx.html.
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Taken from: Devotional Readings for Adults 2023
“I AM WITH YOU”
From: J. VLADIMIR POLANCO
Collaborators: Lorina Maya & Avineyda Hernandez