Sunday, March 20, 2011

“More grace”

The Apostle Paul often began his epistles with these words; “Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.” He understood, as we must, that grace (divine help) comes only from God, but as we read in (Ja.4:6) "But he giveth more grace...” meaning that there is even more grace available to those who resist sin and obey God. So, learn to 1) Resist Lust. The lust spoken of in (Ja.4:1) is the lust of wanting things our way, contrary to the will of God. Sometimes, rather than ask God for help, we selfishly try to work it out ourselves, without God’s grace. (Ja. 4:2) “ye have not because you ask not,” or you “ask amiss” due to selfish purposes. 2) Resist worldliness. Worldliness is an ideology or lifestyle that is contrary to the Bible. God resists those that practice worldliness because it’s opposed to His Word and His perfect will (Ja.4:4). 3) Resist Pride. (Ja.4:6) “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” Don’t be so proud that you don't repent, or confess sin, or forgive others, or humbly seek God the way you should. “More grace” is available to those who humbly seek God and His help.

Grace is available to all who resist the devil, but stand in the power of Christ.

(James 4:7) “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” All of us who know the story of Adam and Eve’s fall, know that they were deceived by the devil. His tactics have not changed over the years, because he always includes the words “yea hath God said.” He hates the Word of God and his temptation is always to get us to doubt it, but Christian don’t, Satan is a defeated foe. The only power that he has over us is the power that we give him when we doubt God’s Word. Jesus said, (Matt. 28:18) All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore..” And in (John 4:4) “greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” We have been given the power of Christ as Sons of God, not just to resist the devil, but to cause him to flee. How? By our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and his Word. Jesus is God, and his name powerful. We can call upon no greater, and he has promised all who believe in him to do so when under attack by the devil. (Jn 15:5)”… for without me ye can do nothing” Grace is available to all who resist the devil, but stand in the power of Christ.