“...gives grace to the humble…” (James 4:6)

Grace is “the unmerited favor of God.” That is good starting point in trying to define grace. We don’t deserve to be saved; we can’t save ourselves; we have no merit in ourselves; the favor of God on our life is totally His doing, not ours.

But, don’t limit this “favor” to that one point in time when you received eternal life. It was definitely grace that saved you that day but grace keeps on working in us beyond the day of our salvation. We were saved; and, we are being saved!

Another way to look at grace is this: God’s grace is working according to His unchanging character and is at the same time uniquely fitted for each one of us.

We have been gifted by grace; Even the word “gift” has its root in the Greek word (Charis) that means grace!

“..since we each have gifts that differ
according to the grace given us…” (Rom 12:6)

And these grace gifts are specifically manifested (made known) in each of us:

“as each one has received a special gift (grace-gift)…”
(I Peter 4:10)

This grace works through all kinds of circumstances in life to manifest the life of God in us. The Scripture says it is manifold (the Greek word literally means that it is “multi-colored”). We are to:

“employ it (the grace-gift)….as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” (I Peter 4:10)

So what do we do? It is His working-not ours! He is the One giving us the desire to do His will. He is living in us providing the power to do His will. We can’t cause the working of this grace; but we can cooperate with it or quench the working of His Spirit in us.

How do we cooperate with Him? It is basically found in the one word: “Humble”.

You humbled yourself at the moment of salvation. You acknowledged your need, turned from your sin and humbled yourself before Mighty God. We are to live that same way every day.

We should not live full of pride, trying to live in our strength, our abilities, and our human wisdom! Instead, we daily, moment-by-moment, humble ourselves before Him and cooperate with the working of His grace…

“…God resists the proud, but He gives grace to the humble”
(James 4:6; I Peter 5:5)

Father,
I humble myself before You. Without You I can do nothing. Let Resurrection Life flow through me as Your grace gives me the desire and power to do Your will.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.