“But He gives more grace. Therefore He says:

            ‘God resists the proud,

            But gives grace to the humble’.”

In contrast to the envious person of verse 5, James now deals with how God views the humble believer.  This verse shows that there is a great difference between pride and humility.  James contrasts the envy of man with the grace of God. 

But He gives more grace.

The words “more grace” is literally “greater grace.”  God’s grace always surpasses His previous grace.  God always has more grace available for those who sin.  God gives grace, but He gives more grace.  “More grace” indicates the complete sufficiency of God’s grace.  There is an endless source of God’s grace in God’s capacity.  God will never run out of grace, for there is always more to come. 

Rom. 5:20, “Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more…”

“Grace” is far more than unmerited favor.  Grace is all that God is free to do for us based on the work of Jesus Christ on the cross.  God does not limit His grace to our salvation.  We need daily forgiveness of sin.  We need daily strength.  God will meet our every need.  God will give grace for every need.

He 4:16, “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

The word “gives” conveys the idea that God continually gives freely.  The meaning of the verb carries the idea to give freely.  Nothing inhibits God’s grace.  He gives fully and freely to any believer who wants to avail himself of it. 

PRINCIPLE: 

We can never exhaust God’s grace because He gives it in abundance. 

APPLICATION: 

We can never exhaust God’s grace, for there is always more to follow.  It is His nature to give.  God is a great giver.  When we are weak, that is God’s opportunity to give us grace — the greater our sin, the greater the grace of God.  Conversely, the more we depend on self, the less availability there is to the grace of God. 

2 Co 12:9-10, “And He said to me,  ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ¹⁰ Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

God’s job stops at the absolute promise of His grace.  He makes the application of His promises conditional on our faith.  We must apply His promises by faith if they are to take effect in our lives.  What good is the grace of God to us if we do not apply it to our experience? 

God’s grace will produce a godly life.  Grace produces grace in us toward others.  If God gives to us, we willing give to others. 

Ti 2:11-14, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, ¹² teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, ¹³ looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, ¹⁴ who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.”