He gives more grace."—James 4:6
Many are the hindrances and discouragements which meet
the Christian in his journey heavenward; and, if he had only his own
strength to rely upon, he would soon become faint-hearted, and sink down in
hopeless despair. But, conscious that there is a power on his side which can
carry him over every obstacle—an Arm on which he may lean for support in
every time of weakness—and a Refuge to which he can betake himself whenever
danger threatens to overwhelm him, he pursues his onward and upward course,
assured that He who has been his Guardian and Guide in the past, will not
fail nor forsake him in the future. And, ever, as he finds his progress
retarded—whether by temptations from without or from within—from daily
interaction with the world, or a more close and constant communion with an
evil heart, he resorts to to the throne of grace, that his faith may be
invigorated—his love increased—and all his spiritual energies renewed and
strengthened.
Thus, only, can he hope to maintain his ground, and
"press forward to the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in
Christ Jesus." If he gives way to indolence, he is sure to be defeated; if
he attempts to encounter the adversary without prayer, he is as sure to lose
his ground. He will find, that the strength in which he trusted was
weakness; and that his fancied courage could not bear him
through the contest.
But oh! what encouragement have we to betake ourselves to
the throne of grace, and seek Divine help and support!—what cheering
promises are given to all who ask in sincerity! "He gives more grace."
"The Lord preserves all those who 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, yes, 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 those who trust in him."
And, how frequently is the assurance given, that they who
humbly wait upon the Lord, asking more grace and strength to do His will—to
live to His glory—and to follow the footsteps of the Savior, will receive
fresh accessions, until, from "beholding as in a glass the glory of the
Lord," they are "changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by
the Spirit of the Lord." "Whoever has, to him shall be given, and he shall
have an abundance." "If any man will do his will, he shall know
of the doctrine, whether it be of God." "Then shall they know, if
they follow on to know the Lord." "Those who wait upon the Lord shall
renew their strength." "He gives power to the faint; and to
those who have no might He increases strength." "The righteous shall
hold on his way, and he who has clean hands shall be stronger and
stronger." And Paul addresses the Thessalonians in these words, "We
beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as you have
received of us how you ought to walk and to please God, so you would abound
more and more."
From these and similar passages we may learn—
First, that where grace really exists in the
heart, there will be an earnest desire for more.
Second, that the sure way of "growing in grace,"
is to strive, earnestly and prayerfully, to improve what we have already
received.
Third, that there is only one source whence it can
come to us—from Him who is seated on the throne of grace, and who has
promised to bestow it on all who humbly ask it. "He gives more
grace."
The believer, under the influence of a living faith,
feels that he has much to do, and no strength of his own to carry on the
work assigned. He has to be in the world, yet not of
the world. He has to bear about with him the name and character of
Christ's disciple, and to resist every temptation to that which his Master
has forbidden. He has to struggle with spiritual enemies—with a treacherous
heart—with enticements to evil on the right hand and on the left. He has to
"be diligent in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord"—to "set his
affections on things above, not on things on the earth"—to "have his
treasure and conversation in heaven"—to "give all diligence to make his
calling and election sure"—to "add to his 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, charity;" that these things being in him and abounding,
he may "neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus
Christ."
Oh surely, then, there is need of "more grace"—grace to
be diligent and faithful—grace to be resolute and strong—grace to improve,
and employ aright, and for the glory of God, talents, and opportunities, and
means, and efforts—grace to make our lives sacred, devoted, and dedicated
lives—grace, so that for us "to live is Christ"—grace, so that the highest
end we have in view, is to "please God, and to abound more and more."
Reader, have you this earnest longing for "more
grace"? If it exists in your heart at all, you must have felt your need of
it—if it is not quenched and smothered, by sinful contact with the world,
you will be longing for a renewed supply. There is no standing still in
the life of faith. "The man," says Augustine, "who says 'enough,'
that man's soul is lost!" "Onwards!" must ever be the Christian's motto. The
power of grace must wax stronger and stronger, if you would have the power
of sin to wax weaker and weaker. Your daily prayer will be, "Lord, give me
more grace to honor You; grace in every vicissitude and change; in all the
varied phases of my being. Grant me grace for sunshine and storm, for health
and for sickness, for life and for death."
And, it ought to animate and encourage the Christian, to
know that the sure way to "grow in grace," is to strive, earnestly
and prayerfully, to improve what has already been bestowed. Religion
does not enjoin, that a man should retire from the world, and give no heed
to its business and pursuits. No! it exhorts him rather to carry into
the world the "grace" which may leaven the surrounding mass; to carry there
a Christian temperament—love to God and man—fervency of spirit—earnestness
in well-doing—and humble submission to the will of his Maker. What is
required, is not inconsistent with the attention due to the interest of the
present life; and experience has proved, that Divine grace grows and
expands, in the midst of incessant labor and daily toil.
For a man to shun the world, is to shun the appointed
sphere of duty. He may climb the mountain summit, and there—far away from
all companionship with his fellows—the rock for his couch and the wild
fruits for his sustenance—he may submit to every kind of toil and privation,
in the attempt to live down the fierceness of passion, and to gain the
victory over carnal desires; but, 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." The one will grow in grace—in childlike humility—and trust in the
Savior's merits—the other, wielding the scourge and wearing sackcloth, will
grow in spiritual pride—in the hope to purchase heaven by his own frantic
and feeble efforts.
Oh! do not think, that the poor laborer, who must depart
from his cottage with the first streak of the morning, and not return until
night has far advanced, and who must wear away the intermediate time in
unremitting toil—do not think, that he must, of necessity, be "standing
still"—that grace is making no advances within his heart, and that he cannot
be progressing in the life of faith and godliness. He may go through all his
labor in the fear of God—yielding himself contentedly to his lot, and
acknowledging the Divine hand in its appointments, and, if he is so doing,
he cannot fail to be "growing in grace and in the knowledge of
Christ."
"Growth in grace" is not to be expected from certain
high and enraptured emotions—not from trances or ecstasies—but from the
faithful exercise and exhibition of what has already been given; in
your daily deportment—your deportment in the haunts of business—your
deportment in your families—yes , amid all the occupations and requirements
of life. Your life may present much the same general features for years; but
still it may, it ought to be a growing life—abounding more and
more in the service of God. You are not to expect that greater
opportunities will be put in your way—so much as that you should make these
opportunities out of 'ordinary things'—having an eye more capable of
discerning them in common things, and being more ready to seize upon them
and to use them. This is Christian principle, and what you should aim at.
Nor are you to expect, that your opportunities of
exercising the "grace" given you, will be such as to attract the notice of
others—no, they will lie chiefly in common things—in your ordinary
duties—in your home circle, in resisting and overcoming habits of
self-indulgence—habits of harshness, fretfulness, irritability of temper, or
the like. "Grace" may be brought into exercise too, in bearing sickness,
trial, unkindness, or reproach, with a patient uncomplaining spirit—in
helping and encouraging your neighbor—in being more generous, more kind,
more sympathizing—in showing more "love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness,
goodness, faith, meekness, temperance"—delighting more in prayer and the
Word of God—setting the Lord more and more before you—ever keeping Him in
mind.
It is thus "grace" will truly grow and expand, so
that every fresh duty becomes more easy—every fresh trial less painful. By
bringing it into the detail of daily life, so that it may elevate and
consecrate human affection—sweeten earthly love with the deepest and
tenderest sympathies—pervade duty, pleasure, and recreation—you will most
surely promote the growth of that Divine principle which the Spirit
of God has implanted within you.
But we must never forget, that our ability for all this
comes from above; that, as there is only one source from which "grace" comes
to us at first, so there is only one source from which we can obtain
renewed supplies. "He gives more grace." Our heavenly Father,
for the sake of His well-beloved Son, has graciously promised to renew His
gifts to those who use them rightly—to increase in them true religion, to
nourish them with all goodness, and of His great mercy keep them in the
same. Grace is no scanty thing, doled out in pittances; the fountain is full
and overflowing—the treasury is large and inexhaustible; myriads are hourly
hanging on it, and drawing from it, and yet there is no diminishing. 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." "And God is
able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all
times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." 2 Cor.
9:8
Christian! be it yours, by earnest prayer, to seek for an
increase of grace. While careful to use aright what you have already
received, oh, repair to the throne of grace for a fresh supply, and, be
assured, that there is not a trial you can encounter—not a sorrow you can
experience, not a difficulty you can meet with in your daily life, for which
Jesus—in the treasury of grace—has not a corresponding solace. In the
multitude of your thoughts within you His 'comforts will delight your
soul.'
Not in your own strength can you tread the path of life,
or make one effort to "grow in grace." Everything must come from the
heavenly treasury—but oh! blessed assurance "those who seek the Lord shall
not lack any good thing." There is no real blessing, either for time
or eternity, which will be withheld from you, if you humbly ask it, for the
sake of Jesus. "Hitherto," He said to His disciples, "you have asked nothing
in my name—ask, and you shall receive, that your joy may be full." And, "He
who spared not His own Son, but freely gave Him up to the death for us all,
how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?"
Look backward, and reflect how many blessings you have
received in the past; and, take these as the pledges that God will be with
you still, and will give "grace and strength" for the time to come. "He who
believes has the witness in himself." You have the witness to the
fulfillment of the most gracious assurances of your Lord, in "yourself"—in
your own heart, and in your own experience. Methinks I hear you say, "Yes, I
have been in affliction and sorrow, when the consolation of
earthly friends was utterly ineffectual, to dry the starting tear, or to
calm the bursting heart; and, at that hour, there was One who said, 'In all
your affliction I was afflicted.'
"I have been in seasons of the most fearful spiritual
temptation, when I had almost made shipwreck of my faith, but there was
One who whispered 'My grace is sufficient for you, and my strength is made
perfect in weakness.'
"I have been upon a sickbed, and—as I believed—a
dying bed. I have stood upon the brink of a fathomless eternity, and, at
that dreadful hour, there was One who stood by me in the watches of the
night, and imparted strong consolation—there was One who said 'There is,
therefore, now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus; I have
withdrawn the sting of death; I have robbed the grave of its victory—fear
not—I will give you grace, and be with you always, even to the end.'"
"Blessed Lord, bend Your pitying eye of love and mercy
upon us, as we venture to approach the throne of grace. We desire to look up
to You through Jesus Christ, Your well-beloved Son, and to be made partakers
of that peace which passes all understanding. There is no other refuge
for the sin-stricken, woe-worn spirit. But, blessed be God, that we are
permitted to rest on the finished work and everlasting righteousness of our
dear Redeemer, and that there is in Him an all-sufficiency for our every
need.
"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 to Him, whose we are, and
whom it is alike our duty and our privilege to obey. Knowing that this is
Your will concerning us, even our sanctification, may it be our constant
ambition, to be growing in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ."
Almighty Savior, in whom all fullness dwells, we humbly
beseech You that it may be given us to receive out of Your fullness grace
sufficient for us; so that, being taught of You how we ought to walk and to
please God, we may abound therein more and more. Cause us to be filled with
the knowledge of Your will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, and
let it be the great employment of our lives to honor and serve You. May our
rejoicing be the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly
sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have lived
our lives in the world.
Allow us not, O God, to rest satisfied with present
attainments, but according to Your promise—give us more grace. Carry us
still forward in Your ways, from strength to strength, until we are fit to
be translated to that better country, 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 Your praises forever.
Graciously hear us, O God, and have mercy on us for the
sake of Your beloved Son, our strength and our Redeemer. Amen.
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
——————
Oh, help us, Lord! each hour of need,
Your heavenly support give;
Help us in thought, and word, and deed,
Each hour on earth we live!
Oh, help us when our spirits bleed
With contrite anguish sore;
And when our hearts are cold and dead,
Oh, help us, Lord, the more!
Oh, help us through the prayer of faith,
More firmly to believe—
For still, the more the servant has,
The more shall he receive!
If strangers to Your fold we call,
Imploring at Your feet
The crumbs that from Your table fall,
'Tis all we dare entreat.
But be it, Lord of mercy, all,
So You will grant but this;
The crumbs that from Your table fall
Are light, and life, and bliss.
Oh, help us, Jesus, from on high!
We know no help but Thee;
Oh, help us so to live and die,
As yours in heaven to be!
—Henry Deer Milman
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