His Grace is Greater

Big Idea: God's grace sustains us, even in the toughest battles.
James 4.6 (CSB): But he gives greater grace. Therefore, he says: God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. 

Devotional: Paul wrote, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come! (2 Cor. 5.17, CSB). While it is true that we are a new creation and are no longer who we once were, we still have remnants of our old self. Those remnants of the flesh (greed, idolatry, selfish ambitions, envy, hatred; See Gal. 5.19-26), still cause us problems. Specifically, the old nature wars against the new nature that God has given us.
 
At times, the battle can seem unbearable, and we can feel like we are loosing not only the battle, but the war. What’s the solution when this happens? Well, a couple of things. First, we want to set our mind and attention on things above (Col. 3.2; Phil. 4.6-8). Secondly, we want to submit to God’s authority (James 5.7). Thirdly, we want to embrace God’s grace.
 
In the immediate context of today’s verse, James told us that conflict comes from the passions that wage war within us (James 5.1b). It’s that old nature fighting against the new nature and visa versa. As our Pastor reminded us yesterday, we are in constant spiritual warfare. As we face the battle, may we embrace the reality that God’s grace is greater than any temptation we face and is far greater than anything tactic that the flesh may use against us. His grace is far greater and in every moment of every day, the light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it (1 John 1.5).

For Reflection…
 
-In what areas of life do you need the strength and power of God’s grace today?
 
-Pray and ask God for the grace to submit to him and to accomplish the things that he has called you to do.

Praise the Lord, His mercy is more. Stronger than darkness, new every morn’, Our sins they are many, His mercy is more.
— “His Mercy is More” by Sovereign Grace Music