When we decide to examine the meaning of God’s grace we eventually come to a Scripture that reveals a great truth. “But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble’ ” (James 4:6).
In the story of man’s alienation from God pride stands as a major barrier between us and a healthy relationship with Him. It basically says, “I don’t need God. I can get by on my own.” We can’t live successfully without Him, though. No one can.
However, God doesn’t just stand by and leave us alone. He loves us too much to do that. He actively opposes pride wherever He finds it. “God opposes the proud” is His willingness to do whatever He can to turn us from a destructive attitude and bring us to the grace He has provided for us. In the original language of the New Testament “opposes” is a military word. God lines up His forces against the proud. Life is hard enough without allowing pride to cause God Himself to oppose us.
The counterpoint of this verse is very good news. God gives grace to the humble. Humility and pride are opposites. They draw different responses from God. Humility stands ready to draw on the grace of God. Humility, by the way, is not a denial of our value as individuals. The psalmist said, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalms 139:14). That is true for each of us.
The humility James speaks of in James 4:6 is a referral to our understanding of our relationship with God. He is divine and we are not. Humility is in our understanding that in our humanity we need God’s help.
An example of this reality is recounted in Matthew 14 when Peter walked on water in the midst of a storm. He learned two things. He learned that with Jesus He could walk on water and he learned that when he looked away from Jesus he would sink. It is important that each of us learn those two lessons.
Humility was Peter acknowledging that He needed Jesus’ help. “Lord, save me!” is the prayer of humility when we realize we need God’s help. “Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him” (Matthew 14:31) is the response of grace that is always available when we humbly ask God for help.
There is an important Scripture that Paul gives us that can be dangerous if we don’t grasp all of it, “I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13, NLT). “I can do everything” isn’t true on our own. In our own strength there are a multitude of things we can’t do. “I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength” is true for all of us. It is a statement that shows the power of God’s grace to those who approach God with humility.
As we walk through life learn to bow before God in humility and we will attract the inexhaustible, unconquerable and amazing grace of God that can meet any need we have. And that is a promise that will sustain us for the rest of our lives.
Wally | GG Team
