248. More And More.

But he giveth more grace. - James 4:6.

PRACTICAL as is the Epistle of James, the apostle does not neglect to extol the grace of God, as unevangelical preachers do in these times.

We err if we commend the fruits regardless of the root from which they spring. Every virtue should be traced to grace.

We must clearly point out the fountain of inward grace as well as the stream of manifest service which flows from it. The principle of grace produces the practice of goodness, and none can create or preserve that principle but the God of all grace.

If we fail anywhere, it will be our wisdom to get more grace. See the bounty of God: ever giving, and ever ready to give more!

I. OBSERVE THE TEXT IN ITS CONNECTION.

1. It presents a contrast. "But he giveth more grace."

· Two potent motives are confronted. "The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy"; on God's part this is met by "but he giveth more grace."

2. It suggests a note of admiration.

· What a wonder that when sin aboundeth, grace still more abounds!

· When we discover more of our weakness, God gives more grace.

3. It hints at a direction for spiritual conflict.

· We learn where to obtain the weapons of our warfare; we must look to him who gives grace.

· We learn the nature of those weapons: they are not legal, nor fanciful, nor ascetical, but gracious: "he giveth more grace."

· We learn that lusting after evil must be met by the fulfillment of spiritual desires and obtaining more grace.

4. It encourages us in continuing the conflict.

· As long as there is one passion in the believing soul that dares to rise, God will give grace to struggle with it.

· The more painfully we mourn the power of sin, the more certainly will grace increase if we believe in Jesus for salvation.

5. It plainly indicates a victory.

"He giveth more grace" is a plain promise that:

· God will not give us up, but that he will more and more augment the force of grace, so that sin must and shall ultimately yield to its sanctifying dominion.

Glory be to God, who, having given grace, still goes on to give more and more grace till we enter into glory! There is no stint or limit to the Lord's increasing gifts of grace.

II. OBSERVE THE GENERAL TRUTH Of THE TEXT.

God is ever on the giving hand. The text speaks of it as the Lord's way and habit: "He giveth more grace."

1. He giveth new supplies of grace.

2. He giveth larger supplies of grace.

3. He giveth higher orders of grace.

4. He giveth more largely as the old nature works more powerfully.

This should be—

1. A truth of daily use for ourselves.

2. A promise daily pleaded for others.

3. A stimulus in the contemplation of higher or sterner duties, and an encouragement to enter on wider fields.

4. A solace under forebodings of deeper trouble in common life.

5. An assurance in prospect of the severe tests of sickness and death.

Seeing it is the nature of God to give more and more grace, let us have growing confidence in him.

III. BRING IT HOME BY SPECIAL APPROPRIATION.

1. My spiritual poverty, then, is my own fault, for the Lord giveth more grace to all who believe for it.

2. My spiritual growth will be to his glory, for I can only grow because he gives more grace. Oh, to grow constantly!

3. What a good God I have to go to! Let me rejoice in the present and hope for the future. Since the further I go the more grace shall I know, let me proceed with dauntless courage.

Brethren, let us trust the liberality of God, try it by prayer, prove it by faith, bear witness to it with zeal, and praise it with grateful joy.