⁶But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

The truth of God’s jealousy for us carries enormous implications. Since He desires us so greatly, He lavishes us with His unmerited favor. That means He treats us abundantly better than we deserve, infinitely greater. In our trials, He is at work proving our faith’s genuineness and depth, and producing in us endurance. In fact, he is perfecting us so that we will lack nothing (James 1:2–4). He gives us wisdom generously whenever we ask for it (James 1:5). Indeed, God is the one who gives us every good thing in our lives (James 1:17). If something is not good for us, then He will preserve us from it. What could the world possibly offer us that is better than all that God gives us? Anything the world offers, if we don’t have it from God, then it is not good for us. When we pursue friendship with the world it is because we do not understand what we have in our friendship with God. Our lack of faith, combined with the lust for what we do not have, blinds us to God’s grace.

The key to unlocking the flow of God’s grace is not found in our trying harder to keep the Law. Nor can it be earned, as some religions teach, through repetitious prayer or penance. Grace is freely given. Yet the path to receiving God’s grace does require something of us: not a payment or a meritorious work but an attitude, an inner posture of humbleness. We cannot receive grace from God without humbly opening our hand to receive it. God does not force grace on us; He gives it as a gift. But the gift needs to be received. To actively receive grace, we must recognize our need of God and His gifts. We cannot demand His grace as though He owes it to us. We can’t arrogantly claim it as an entitlement. Yes, there is boldness in embracing His grace with confidence, but even in that, the confidence comes not from within us, but from our humble acknowledgement and gratitude to Him for being a gracious God.

God resists any other approach to Him. His grace is neutralized by any approach that is mixed with entitlement on our part or obligation, duty, or compulsion on God’s part. Anyone who believes that James teaches a works-based salvation completely misses this point. God does not save us because we deserve it in any way, shape, or form. Nor does He continue working in our lives as believers because of our efforts to live godly and holy lives. His grace now in helping us live in a Christ-like way builds on the grace by which He saved us. So, in a sense, we experience His grace upon grace, in an ever increasing measure.

Lord, I can’t thank You enough for Your grace that is continually greater!