James Teaches Grace and Humility James 4:6-10

James 4:6a But [God] gives more grace.

REFLECTION 20: God gives grace instead of grace

REFLECTION 20: God gives grace instead of grace   John 1:16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.

REFLECTION 20: God gives grace instead of grace   Romans 5:8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

REFLECTION 20: God gives grace instead of grace   Romans 5:20b  where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

James 4:6b “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” REFLECTION 20: God gives grace instead of grace   James 4:6b “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

“None is righteous, no, not one; 11 no one understands; REFLECTION 20: God gives grace instead of grace Romans 3:9 What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, 10 as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; 11  no one understands; no one seeks for God. 12  All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”

13 “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” REFLECTION 20: God gives grace instead of grace 13  “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” 14  “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” 15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16  in their paths are ruin and misery, 17  and the way of peace they have not known.” 18  “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

REFLECTION 20: God gives grace instead of grace Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

REFLECTION 20: God gives grace instead of grace “They that know God will be humble; they that know themselves cannot be proud.” John Flavel  

REFLECTION 20: God gives grace instead of grace “They that know God will be humble; they that know themselves cannot be proud.” John Flavel   “As pride is the beginning of sin, humility must be the beginning of the Christian life.” Augustine

REFLECTION 20: God gives grace instead of grace

REFLECTION 21: Humble repentance is our response

REFLECTION 21: Humble repentance is our response Isaiah 6:5 And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”

REFLECTION 21: Humble repentance is our response James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.

REFLECTION 21: Humble repentance is our response Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

REFLECTION 21: Humble repentance is our response Acts 17:26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 27 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us,

REFLECTION 21: Humble repentance is our response James 4:8b Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

REFLECTION 21: Humble repentance is our response Romans 12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2b Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind,

A.W.Tozer -Pursuit of God REFLECTION 21: Humble repentance is our response “Father, I want to know Thee, but my cowardly heart fears to give up its toys. I cannot part with them without inward bleeding, and I do not try to hide from Thee the terror of the parting. I come trembling, but I do come. Please root from my heart all those things which I have cherished so long and which have become a very part of my living self, so that thou mayest enter and dwell there without a rival.” A.W.Tozer -Pursuit of God

REFLECTION 21: Humble repentance is our response James 4:9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.

REFLECTION 21: Humble repentance is our response 2 Kings 22:19 because your heart was penitent, and you humbled yourself before the Lord, when you heard how I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and you have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, declares the Lord.

James 4:10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. REFLECTION 21: Humble repentance is our response James 4:10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

REFLECTION 21: Humble repentance is our response Matthew 7:13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

REFLECTION 21: Humble repentance is our response