"HE GIVETH MORE GRACE"
“HE GIVETH MORE GRACE” –James 4:6
Pastor Carolyn Sissom
Sunday, March 9, 2014, the Year of Our Lord
With so much easy-believism being preached, many have taken this scripture for “more grace” as a license to continue in sin. I believe the Lord gives us “more Grace” so that we can overcome temptations whether from without or within; our interactions in the world; healing; deliverance; or any area of life where we struggle for victory. As we make our journey heavenward, there are many hindrances and discouragements in this life. If we had only our own strength to rely upon, we would soon become faint-hearted, and sink down in hopeless despair.
I pray that the Lord will give each one of us more grace that we may “press forward to the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
The Lord has given us access to His Power by Grace which can carry us either through or over every obstacle---an arm on which we may lean for support in every time of weakness---and a refuge when danger threatens. With this blessed hope, we pursue the course set before us with the faith that Jesus did not forsake us in the past and he will not fail or forsake us now or in the future.
“The Lord preserves all them that love him.” “In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths.” I will rejoice over them, says the Lord, to do them good.” “Cast your burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain you.” “He shall deliver you in six troubles, yea, in seven there shall no evil touch you.” “He shall call upon me and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.” “Call unto me and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things which you know not.” “I will visit you, and perform my good Word toward you.” “I will teach you what you shall do.” “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knows them that trust in him.”
The Holy Spirit through implanted grace gave us many giftings. The Holy Spirit has also implanted the divine principle, of the love of God and of Christ which enamors us to seek more and more conformity to the will of God and the divine purposes of His Holy Kingdom.
When we become conscious of our own inherent weakness, guilt and helplessness, our cry will be “Lord, more grace---more grace.” This feeling will grow and expand until it pervades our whole being. Every fresh struggle will be accompanied with renewed supplication---every day will begin and end, with another and yet another petition, that we will receive “more grace”.
“Beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord,” we are “changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” “Whosoever has, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance.” “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.” “He gives power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increases strength.”
As Christians we are charged with a living-faith to carry-on the work of the Kingdom and to delight to bear the name and character of Christ. We cry out to resist every temptation. We struggle with spiritual enemies---with a treacherous heart. There are enticements to evil on the right hand and on the left. We are to be diligent in business, fervent in spirit, caring for our family and friends, “set our affections on things above, not on things on the earth”---to have our treasure and conversation in heaven”---to give all diligence to make our calling and election sure”---to “add to our faith; virtue and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, Godliness; and to Godliness; brotherly-kindness; and to brotherly-kindness, love;” that these things being in us and abounding may “neither be barren nor un-fruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Oh! Surely, we need “more grace”: grace to be diligent and faithful; to be resolute and strong; to improve; and to walk upright; grace to reveal the glory of God’s talents, gifts, provision and passion to a sin-soaked, hurting world. I need grace to persevere, be faithful, be a good steward, love my enemies, self-control, to forgive, to not take offense, etc. I need grace to walk in obedience.
There is no standing still in the life of faith. “Onward”, must ever be the Christian’s motto. The power of grace must wax stronger and stronger.
Lord give me more grace to honor you. Lord I need more grace in the midst of change. Grant me grace for sunshine and storm, for health and for sickness, for life and for death.
Christians are not to retire from the world, but rather carry into the world the “grace” which will “leaven” the world with the love of God and love for one another, fervency in spirit, earnestness in well-doing and submission to the will of the Father.
Divine grace grows and expands in the midst of our daily duties, our trials and tribulations. For a man/woman to shun the world is to shun the appointed sphere of duty. This has been one of my sins even to separate and protect our congregation from the cruelty of not only the world but from trouble maker’s in Christendom. Of course, this is part of the duty of being a pastor is to “guard” the sheep. However, if I climb the mountain summit, and there---far away from all fellowship, to whom would I minister this Great Grace.
Far more pleasing in the sight of God, are the humble efforts of that believer, who, casting his all on Jesus, prays for grace to do his duty where God has cast his lot, and who does not shun the battle of life, but fights, “the good fight of faith” and “overcomes the world.”
This one will grow in grace and childlike humility trusting in the Savior’s provision. The other wearing sackcloth will grow in spiritual pride, in the hope to purchase heaven by his own frantic and feeble efforts.
Nor or we to expect that our opportunities of exercising grace be such as to attract the notice and acclamation of others. No, this grace will grow chiefly in common things--- in ordinary duties---in the home circle, in resisting and overcoming habits of self-indulgence---habits of severity, fretfulness, irritability of temper, etc. Grace will grow in bearing sickness, trial, unkindness, or reproach; in being more generous, more kind, more sympathetic, showing more “love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance,” delighting in prayer and the Word of God.
It is thus that grace will truly grow and expand so that every fresh duty becomes easier---every fresh trial less painful. By bringing grace into the detail of daily life, our relationships will be elevated to a higher level and sweeten earthly love.
Our ability for this is just as supernatural as our salvation, the working of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and the power of God. There is only one source from which grace comes to us and there is only one source from which we can obtain renewed supplies.
“He giveth more grace.” Our heavenly Father, for the sake of His well-beloved Son, has graciously promised to renew Hi gifts to those who use them rightly--- increase in us a greater love and faith, to nourish us with all goodness, and by His great mercy to keep us. Grace is no scanty thing, doled out in pittances; the fountain is full and overflowing, ---the treasury is large and overflowing.
Out of that fullness all may receive grace for grace. “My God shall supply all your need, according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” “God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good word and work.”
Join with me and ask for a fresh supply, and be assured there is not a trial we shall encounter, nor a sorrow we can experience, not a difficulty in life, but which Jesus in the treasury of grace shall supply all our need.
We have been taught to believe the Lord for faith for healings, miracles, revelations, deliverance, signs and wonders. Yes, Jesus abundantly supplies through His grace this power. However, we need more grace for the strength to tread the path of life to overcome and be the victorious church without spot or wrinkle.
Everything must come from the heavenly treasury---but oh, blessed assurance, “they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.” There is no real blessing, either for time or eternity, which will be withheld from us, if we humbly ask it, for the sake of Jesus.
“Hitherto”, Jesus said to His disciples, “you have asked nothing in my name; ask and you shall receive, that your joy may be full.” And, “He that spared not His own Son, but feely gave Him up to the death for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”
We are permitted to rest on the finished work and everlasting righteousness of our dear Redeemer, and there is in Him all-sufficiency for our every want.
Lord Jesus our cry at your throne is for grace and mercy. Through the Blood of Jesus, we are partakers of that peace which passes all understanding. There is no other refuge for the sin-stricken, woe-worn spirit.
We pray, O God, for pardoning, renewing, quickening, and sanctifying grace. Transform us by the indwelling power of your Holy Spirit. May we seek to be more animated by ardent love for Him, whose we are, and whom it is our duty and privilege to obey. Knowing this is your will concerning us, may we ever seek to be growing in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Cause us to be filled with the knowledge of your will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.
Carry us forward in your ways, from strength to strength, until we are translated into the Spirit where we shall see you face to face, and being fully conformed to your image, shall love you supremely, rejoice in you triumphantly, and celebrate you forever.
“The Head that once was crowned with thorns,
Is crowned with glory now;
A royal diadem adorns
The mighty Victor’s brow,
The highest place that heaven affords
Is His, is His by right;
The King of kings, and Lord of lords,
And heaven’s eternal light:
The joy of all who dwell above,
The joy of all below,
To whom He manifests His love,
And grants His name to know.
To them the Cross, with all its shame,
With all its grace, is given;
Their name, an everlasting name,
Their joy the joy of heaven.
They suffer with their Lord below,
They reign with Him above,
Their profit and their joy to know
The mystery of His love.
The Cross He bore is life and health,
Though shame and death to Him;
His people’s hope, His people/s wealth,
Their everlasting theme.
T. Kelly
Carolyn Sissom, Pastor
Eastgate Ministries, Inc.
Scripture from K.J.V.
I entered into the labors of John Ross MacDuff, The Throne of Grace, 1865, The Public Domain of the United States of America.