Grace To The Humble; Resistance To The Proud
Minister: |
Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: |
10/27/2013 PM
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Text:
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James 4:6
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Psalters: |
351, 388, 366, 381 |
- God resists the proud.
- The “proud” are those who are self-centered and self-absorbed, shown in either arrogance or self-pity.
- It is to be full of self often seen in the desire to have (2,5).
- I am the center, so God and my neighbors are here for me.
- God “resisteth” the proud, i.e., actively opposes them.
- God “hates” pride (Prov. 6:16; 8:13; 16:5).
- God’s resistance is a setting of Himself in array against, as an army in battle.
- Why does God hate pride so fervently so He resists the proud?
- God’s resistance is an inner necessity, for human pride sets up replacement gods, robbing Him of His glory (Phil. 3:18,19).
- It is a thinking of oneself more highly than one ought to think (Rom. 12:3) over against all the others God saved.
- God gives grace to the humble.
- Humility is an honest assessment of ourselves in light of God.
- First, he see God as the Most High Majesty, Holy, Almighty Sovereign, most glorious and blessed.
- He sees and remembers his natural face (James 1:22f) always and only worthy of God’s angry judgment.
- And he sees other humans as either members of Christ’s body or neighbors given to him by God to serve and assist.
- The Spirit, rather than dwelling in us unto envy, gives grace.
- For His own reasons known only to Himself God is pleased to give His undeserved love to certain sinners.
- He also gave us the ability to be humble in giving to us meekness as one of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:23)..
- Things to consider to destroy pride and to cultivate humility.
- Consider God, His majestic greatness evidenced in His incommunicable attributes (Ps. 139:6).
- Consider Jesus who led the way to humility (Mark 10:45; Phil. 2:5ff; John 13:14).
- Survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died.
- A constant source of humility is the knowledge of our sins and ever present sinfulness (James 1:22f; Canons V-2).
- Consider the doctrines of grace.
- Consider our complete dependence on God for everything physically and material, but also spiritually.
- Realize that all you are and have you have received as a free gift (I Cor. 4:7).
- The pursuit of humility is always connected with inviting and pursuing correction.