Grace To The Humble; Resistance To The Proud

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