What do you make of this verse?

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Permalink Reply by Amanda on October 19, 2013 at 10:14am

I posted the same verse in a discussion about apparent contradictions started by another member on AAG. It's also mentioned in 1 Peter 5:5 and Proverbs 3:34. But grace is said to be unearned.

My questions were: Wouldn't the proud need more grace than the humble?
Are there two kinds of graces?

I believe grace is grace but God determines its category (for lack of a better word). "Saved by grace" is saving grace. God sending His rain on both the just and the unjust is another category, and, obviously, we can find God's favor to receive more grace from God, if not earn grace, by being humble versus being proud.

It's something like areas of faith, I guess, is the way I'm understanding it now -- areas of grace.

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Permalink Reply by Billy S. on October 20, 2013 at 12:20am

God loves the proud and the humble equally.  We are all created in His image.  To be humble is to admit that we are not perfect.  To be proud is to claim that we are more perfect than others.  This applies to us.  Jesus was humble but He is perfect.  

God extends His grace to those who follow his commandments.  God extends his mercy on those who will.

I believe this because often times I feel that I have received that which I do not deserve, and at other times have not received what i deserve.

The fact of the matter is that God will give grace and mercy to whom he chooses, and if we don't strive to do his will, we might as well count ourselves out.  Most of us have received more of both than we deserve.  Most of us have become too comfortable.

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Permalink Reply by Colby on October 20, 2013 at 2:27pm

What do I make of James 4:6?  Simply stated, God exalts the humble.  He sums up his thoughts nicely in vs. 10: "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up" (NIV).

 

James echoes the words of the Old Testament Psalmist: "He [God] mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed" (Proverbs 3:34, NIV).

The Apostle Peter also repeats this: "Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble'" (1Peter 5:5, ESV).

 

The warning against pride found in Proverbs 16:18 also comes to mind: "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall" (NIV).

When we submit to God in humility, rejecting the ways of the world, putting ourselves in a state of utter dependence on him,  God will provide us with greater grace as and when needed to face temptation and trials. James tells us that God's love, manifested in his abundant mercy and grace, which no one deserves, will be sufficient to see us through.

 

From the beginning of this epistle or letter, the Apostle James reveals his "pet peeve:" the hypocritical Christian whose profession of piety is insincere.  Another theme is his contempt for selfish, rich Christians, especially the social snobs among them.  James is anxious to assure us that God rewards those endure trials, and that trials cannot be interpreted as God's attempt to break down faith.  "Humility Cures Worldliness" is the heading that the New KJV Bible gives to vs. 7-10.  He exhorts Christians to "Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded" (vs. 8).

 

The imperatives of this passage are consistent with the central theme of the Epistle of James, which focuses on moral imperatives and the practice of the Christian life.  James is concerned with giving us specific directions and guidance as to things we should do or not do as well as attitudes we should adopt or reject in order to follow the example of Jesus Christ.  The advice he gives is solid and practical.

 

Jesus obviously did not cater to the rich or powerful, but humbled himself, condescending himself to live as a man experiencing pain and death to atone for our sins.  He associated himself with ordinary people, especially the marginalized (See Phil. 2:6-11).  Humility is a cardinal Christian virtue (Ephesians 4:2; Colossians 3:12).

 

Because God gives grace to the humble (vs. 6), we should well ask: "What shall we do?"  The answer is: Submit yourselves to God.  Don't be proud; don't be arrogant.  It's not enough for us to know God's will; we have to do it.  It's not enough for us to hear the Word and believe it, we have to act accordingly.

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Permalink Reply by Colby on October 20, 2013 at 3:44pm

"Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted" (Matthew 23:12, NIV).

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Permalink Reply by JB on October 20, 2013 at 8:48pm

I believe to more fully understand this scripture, we need a little deeper meaning, or understanding of the word “Grace”. The basic understanding is, I believe the reason we, or some are misled, and have a different view of the way God leads, or deals with people.

We always hear that grace is the “unmerited favor” which I have no problem with that, except it gives a very limited definition of the word. I always ask then, what is the unmerited favor you speak of? Usually the answer is, Well God just gives it to me when I don’t deserve it. That still is not a complete or satisfactory answer. So I ask, what is it that He gives you that you don’t deserve? Well; His Love, His mercy, Salvation etc.

The Word says that it is God which is at work in you, both to will and to do of His good pleasure, Php.2:13,  “GRACE” (emphases mine)

God is able to do exceeding, abundantly above all we can ask, or think, according to the power that works in us.  Eph.3:20, what is the power that works in us? Is it not his Spirit,  by Grace, through faith?     

Let’s take a look at the definition that Merriam- Webster gives, “Grace” Unmerited Divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification.

Strong’s Conc.  Grk. “Charis” ….. Spiritual;  the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life.

Vine's Expository Dictionary;  Grace implies more than favor; grace is a free gift, favor may be deserved or gained

 I believe when Jesus said “it is finished” Everything that mankind needed to survive in this world, spiritually and physically, was provided at that time, and all we had to do was to accept this grace, through faith; for the opportunity to accept this free gift was to the world, or to whosoever will, there are still those that loved darkness rather than light, Jo.3:19. But as far as the opportunity is concerned, it is there, it was given to the “world”.

When we behold something that, for instance as Web. Says, approval or favor, a charming or attractive trait or characteristic, it has an influence on our hearts, but not all see it as charming and etc. therefore it does not have the same influence on them. And so it is with the Word of God, it doesn’t have the same influence, “Grace” to others as it does to us that believe. Therefore I can believe that a person with pride, can never receive the grace given by the Word that a humble person will receive from it. Faith and grace are built in the Word, but if we have bitterness, envy and strife in our hearts, we will not see it, nor will we have the faith receive it.

JB

 

 

 

 

 

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Permalink Reply by David Velasquez on October 22, 2013 at 2:09pm

LT -

I know i am not answering your question with the following, but is what came to my mind:

Psalm 2

¹ Why do the nations conspire^[a]
    and the peoples plot in vain?
² The kings of the earth rise up
    and the rulers band together
    against the Lord and against his anointed, saying,
³ “Let us break their chains
    and throw off their shackles.”

⁴ The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
    the Lord scoffs at them.
⁵ He rebukes them in his anger
    and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,
⁶ “I have installed my king
    on Zion, my holy mountain.”

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Permalink Reply by Carla on October 23, 2013 at 7:16am

LT,

Verse 4 says 'Therefore whoever wished to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God'

James is written in a Jewish context to a Jewish audience.  Therefore, this possibly could be written with the thought in mind to set an example of the Pharisees.  After their  rejection of the Messiah in Matthew 12:39,40, Jesus told them that an evil and adulterous generation craves a sign, but none would be given to them except the 'Sign of Jonah'. 

Their rejection of Him was prideful and influenced by them caring what people thought rather than what God thinks.

Therefore, this particular scripture could possibly be directed towards the Pharisees, that we might learn from them as what 'not to do'.  As we are humble and admit our need for a Saviour God gives His Grace to us.  But if we are proud and reject the Saviour, God will oppose us just as He opposed the Pharisees.

 

Blessings, Carla

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