Warning Against Worldly Indulgences: Part 7 - James 4:6a

Warning Against Worldly Indulgences: Part 7 - James 4:6a
Written by LaRosa Johnson
Thursday, 12 June 2008

The last time we were together, we took a good look at some of the textual difficulties that were present in James 4:5 and how it tied into our understanding of verse 6. Today, we want to carry over what we learned from that study of the Scriptures so that we can walk away with the correct understanding of verse 6. We covered the difficulties last time, so we won't waste time there; instead, we will dive right into the text so that we can clearly see the message that James is trying to get across to his readers. Before we begin, let us make sure our hearts and minds are prepared to feast on biblical truth, so let's have a moment of silent prayer. Now, let us look at James 4:6.

Quote :

James 4:6a (NASB) - But He gives a greater grace.

As a very brief recap, we learned in our study of verse 5 that the correct interpretation of the text should read something like, "Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy (KJV)?" With that, we understood that James was referring to the human spirit and how it lusts to envy within us. We also stated that this is no quotation of Old Testament Scripture, as many modern English translations would have it to be; instead, we find our Scripture quotation in our verse today, verse 6, with the text in-between serving as an explanatory remark and rebuke. Having this fresh in our minds, let us move continue on.

The very first thing we find in James 4:6 is a sentence that serves as a direct and immediate response to the thought and question posed in the previous verse, "But He gives a greater grace." Who is "he?" Considering the context and the subject matter at hand, it is obvious that "He" is God, as He is the only one that is able to offer grace, which is something that we cannot acquire on our own. The next logical question then becomes, why does God give a greater grace? A secondary question would be, what is this grace greater than? If we allow Scripture to interpret itself, I believe that the answer to this question will become clear. Moving back just one chapter to James 3:2, we are told, "For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well." As we learned previously, if a person is able to control their tongue and never slip up, then they are a perfect person, able to control their entire body. Therefore, this kind of person is unblemished in the sight of God. Since we know that Jesus Christ was the only person to achieve such stature, we conclude that everyone falls short of this standard and is labeled a sinner. This is confirmed with the words of Paul in Romans 3:23 where we're told that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Knowing that sin is a problem that humanity is unable to rectify in its own ability, we can see why God's grace was needed.

Still, why are we given a greater grace? If we skip ahead to Romans 5:20-21, we see the reason for the greater grace: "20 The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (emphasis, my own)." With these words from the Apostle Paul, the picture becomes clear. God gave the Law so that man's sin would be exposed, thus revealing man's inability to live up to God's perfect standard. It was this revelation of sin through the Law that sin increased. But, God, being all powerful, extended a grace that was greater than the extent that sin had piled up so that we might have a means of obtaining eternal life. In other words, the grace of God is greater than the lusts and envy that reside in our flesh; He is also willing to forgive and bring us back into fellowship if we repent of such sins (1 John 1:9). The bottom line is that God's grace is great and powerful in the life of a believer, even to the extent of covering our sins past, present, and future.

I would like to continue with the rest of this verse, but I think we're going to stop here for now. I think that there is enough here to chew on before we move forward with the rest of this verse. We should not be quick to rush through this verse, lest we miss the importance of God's giving of a greater grace. In closing, I would strongly encourage you to spend the next few days meditating on these passages of Scripture. Take time to savor the overwhelming abundance of grace that God has bestowed upon us and how that grace is able to cover our extensive list of sins. Once you have done that, give thanks to the Lord and just worship Him for this gift that He has given, despite us not deserving it. Until next time, worship the Lord in spirit and truth, thanking Him for His grace!

devotion courtesy of Trailblazin Ministries
http://www.trailblazinministries.com/daily-devotions/06-12-2008.php