Hello, Homewreckers-to-Humble-Homebuilders!
Yesterday, we dealt with the rubble of adulterous alliances and worldly friendships, remember? Well, dust off your work gloves and bring out those power tools! Today, we’re turning the demolition site into a grace-filled construction zone, as we continue our journey through James’ building manual, focusing on James 4:6-7. From homewreckers to homebuilders, here we go!
6But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 7Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:6–7 (ESV)
Last time, we were caught red-handed in the midst of a spiritual home wrecking, choosing the bling of the world over our faithful commitment to God. But guess what? The Homeowner of the Universe didn’t kick us out. It’s as if after the shocking revelation of our unfaithfulness, God is the betrayed spouse who, instead of filing for divorce, offers to rebuild the shattered home with us. As we’re standing on the plot of our spiritual lives, looking at the debris of our past errors, God strolls in and gives us, free of charge, the blueprints and truckloads of premium construction materials (His grace) for a new start. That’s right! He gave us a second chance to build a solid home of spiritual values.
This, dear friends, is grace: a divine gift for us to start building anew! But a bunch of grace-filled bricks won’t assemble themselves, would they? We need two indispensable tools: humility and submission. Humility is like donning our novice builder’s hard hat, acknowledging that we don’t have the master blueprint to build this house on our own. It’s accepting that, “Yes, God, you’re the Architect, I’m just the intern. Guide me here.”
Now, submission, it is willingly following God’s divine blueprints. It’s not just about obedience; it’s about heartfully agreeing to God’s design. That’s us deciding to follow the Architect’s plans, not just complying with building regulations, but wholeheartedly surrendering our ‘creative’ urges to add a helipad on the roof or a petting zoo in the garage. It’s joyfully aligning our building efforts with God’s grand blueprint.
The result? James sums it up like this, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). Now that’s what I call a spiritual fortress! Through humble submission, our spiritual house stands tall, resistant to the devil’s bulldozers, providing us a sanctuary for a deeper relationship with God and a peaceful resolution to our conflicts with others.
So, fellow Homewreckers-turned-Humble-Homebuilders, let’s start the grand construction! With God’s grace as our building blocks and His will as our blueprint, let’s build a sturdy home of humility and submission; let’s construct a life that stands strong amidst the devil’s wrecking balls.
How has God’s grace helped you grow in humility and submission?
Amen and amen.
Let’s define some terms first: grace=undeserved favor, or favor shown to one who actually deserves punishment.
Humility doesn’t mean thinking less if yourself, but just thinking of yourself, less (not thinking about yourself all the time).
I have blown it in every way a man can fail. Jesus has never sinned..not in action or in thought. Yet on the cross, he took all of my guilt and shame and gave me his perfect record. He died the death that I so richly deserved.
That grace (that someone like that loves someone like me to the point of dying for me) is the only thing that can cause me to shift my affections from myself to love Him and those he loves.
Oh amazing grace, indeed..how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me!
Answer: Meditating on the Cross helps me to grow in love and submission to my Jesus.
For a very long time as I remember I was stuck in a very dark place, in a place I thought was a living hell. There was times I wish I didn’t wake up. But Gods loves me before I even knew him or before I loved myself. By his love and his grace I have been saved and forgiven. He has protected me when I didn’t even deserve it. I surrender and humbly ask God for his wisdom and guide me daily. For I’m so grateful the light and peace I have today. I will continue my relationship with God through my faith with his word, praying faithfully, community, and church. I also pray that I may spread his love to those I encounter. Amen 🙏🏻
God’s grace has helped me grow in humility and submission by showing me that irrespective of what I have chosen or done, God’s grace is given to me. After humbling myself and submitting my life to God, I have seen how God’s blueprint is better than any other blueprint that a human person can fathom. I am thankful for God’s grace everyday.
For a very long time as I remember I was stuck in a very dark place, in a place I thought was a living hell. There was times I wish I didn’t wake up. But Gods loves me before I even knew him or before I loved myself. By his love and his grace I have been saved and forgiven. He has protected me when I didn’t even deserve it. I surrender and humbly ask God for his wisdom and guide me daily. For I’m so grateful the light and peace I have today. I will continue my relationship with God through my faith with his word, praying faithfully, community, and church. I also pray that I may spread his love to those I encounter as a humble home builder Amen 🙏🏻
“How has God’s grace helped me grow in humility and submission?” God’s grace helped me realize that I’m indebted to Him. And it’s through this debt that I’ve grown to be more humble with where I am or what I’ve done. I realized that if I didn’t feel indebted then I’d be a lot less humble by thinking I got where I am by the sweat of my brow. But the reality is that this is not the case as it is by God’s grace that I am where I am and I’m thankful and indebted to Him for that. And with that I’ve taken a more humble stance and approach every blessing with the understanding that it was not my hardwork that earned this, but through God’s grace that I’ve received.
(from Brian)
Morning all,
I believe I am the luckiest person to ever walk this earth 🌍. I am blessed beyond imagination.
And none of this has to do with my life circumstances, social-economic status or material possessions.
This is all because of Him and how He died on the cross for our sins (past, present and future) while we hated Him. Jesus Christ is the true definition of love ❤️.
I also want to point out that the author neatly provides some answers to questions we had earlier. He distinguishes submission from obedience.
Whatever struggle we are going through, I pray that we are forever reminded of His amazing grace and that His love alone will carry us through any rough patches of life. I pray that we all believe we are the luckiest person bc of what Jesus did on the cross for us. Father, may we keep our eyes fixed on you and help us, Lord, to grow in love and submission.
When I think about God’s unfailing love it reminds me of the ocean-so vast and unending. I feel small and I’m humbled by His great love for me. I am undeserving of His grace and mercy. It reminds me that I need Him daily-His strength, wisdom, and guidance. His love and grace compels me to submit.