Abundant Grace

James 4.6 – Abundant Grace

“But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”
 

“He giveth more grace” is a statement often misapplied suggesting that God offers more grace when it comes time to die – which I believe is true; however, this statement is not presented in that context. It is sometimes used to suggest that God gives more grace when we are going through difficult circumstances – which I believe He does; however, that would be using this statement out of context. Too often someone comes across a statement in God’s Word that seems to fit a specific situation, but by taking the statement out of context, that precious Word of God becomes a personal pretext, and, even a proof-text for a personal agenda.
 

A wise man once said, “Any text taken out of context becomes a pretext.” A pretext is when we embrace one part of a Bible verse, or Bible story, and give what God is saying a whole new meaning, our meaning. The whole truth is in the whole council of God’s word, not just a sound bite of the Bible.
 

So, let’s examine James 4.6 and see what James is teaching.
 

When someone “giveth” (dídōmi – “to give something to someone of one’s own accord”) to someone, it is done without the thought of compensation or personal gain. In this case God is giving, without expectation of a return on His investment to those in particular need. What He gives is “more grace.” (meízōn – “more, to a greater degree”; cháris – “grace, particularly that which causes joy, a favor done without expectation of return”)
 

The thought is that when a specific need arises, God offers an increasing amount of grace in order for the believer to face the issues at hand. An old hymn written by Julia H. Johnston expresses it well:

“Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,

Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!

Yonder on Calvary’s mount out-poured–

There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.

Refrain:

“Grace, grace, God’s grace,

Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;

Grace, grace, God’s grace,

Grace that is greater than all our sin!”

James draws from a military expression when describing God’s attitude toward the proud (huperḗphanos – “the Greek means one who shows himself above his fellows, and so lifts himself against God.) – the proud being those who are snobbish, arrogant and stuck-up. Those who find themselves in this position are resisted by God. The term “resisteth” goes deeper than simply standing one’s ground against an opponent. “Resisteth” (antitássō – “To set an army in array against, to arrange in battle order) is a strong word indicating that God does more than simply stand in opposition against the proud – He begins to actively oppose that one. What sets all this up is when a person wanders from seeking first those things pertaining to God (See Matthew 6.33) and takes a road putting their own desires on a first-place priority of acquisition.
 

Seeking one’s own interests through personal interpretation of God’s Word humanizes God and deifies man. Specifically, this verse is within the context of the preceding verses which speak of making decisions that would align the believer with the world rather than with God and His Word. To continue in such fashion is to commit spiritual adultery and to abandon God – the One who created all and who knows all things.

For those believers who choose their own way – essentially the way of the world – God aggressively opposes them through disciplinary methods designed to draw the believer back into fellowship and a proper mindset concerning spiritual issues. It is far better to listen to the still, small voice rather than to be arrested by God’s severe disciplining hand. To the humble one who abandons his own way in favor of following God, there is an abundance of grace.