But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”
1 Peter 5:5 NKJV
Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”
WHO is doing the resisting in these verses? God? or People? According to the Bible, It's God who resists. How do we unlock the blessing and grace of God? The Bible tells us:
Humility is the KEY!
Exodus 10:3
So Moses and Aaron came in to Pharaoh and said to him, “Thus says the Lord God of the Hebrews: ‘How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me? Let My people go, that they may serve Me.
Numbers 12:3
(Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth.)
2 Samuel 22:28
You will save the humble people; But Your eyes are on the haughty, that You may bring them down.
2 Chronicles 7:14
if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
Matthew 18:4
Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 23:12
And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
Luke 18:14
I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Philippians 2:8
And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
1 Peter 5:6
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,
And what does He resist? The proud and arrogant attitudes of people! So instead of getting grace (God's gift of unearned favour), those people get resistance. This is confirmed by the writing of two witnesses, James and Peter plus many other passages of Scripture!
The question is not "is God's grace resistible?". Rather, the question is, "who is doing the resisting?" and "what does that One resist?" Another way to start the asking questions is: "is it pride or grace that is resistible?" or "how do I unlock God's grace?"
If you are humble, God will give you free, unearned grace. The humble will never choose to resist God's grace. Why? Because they know they need the Saviour, Jesus Christ, our God and King.
If one is proud, then God is resisting such a person! It's less about man's free will and more about God's free will. The two wills are at play, true. BUT as always, God is aware of more choices, and is able to utilize more options than us. His will is more informed and able than ours. So the old debate between Calvinists and Arminianists is moot. Grace is neither resistible nor irresistible. It is a a free gift given only to the humble. Humble, meek people will always gladly accept the free unearned favour of the Lord. God doesn't "force" His grace or favour on anyone. And He doesn't waste His grace either.
And Pride? well Pride is the only resistible thing in these 2 main verses James 4:6 and 1 Peter 5:5... and God is the one who resists the haughty, high-minded, arrogant person. But if we stay meek and lowly, God is willing to help us.
And the good news? God can save ANYONE! The proud can humble themselves, forsake Pride, and call on Christ! God is sovereign. And anyone can call on the Lord and be saved! Grace is for ALL who call on the Lord! And guess what? In order to call on the Lord sincerely, one must be humble.
Blessings
Pastor Curtis
March 25 2023 Sat. 1:48am Eastern.
The question is not "is God's grace resistible?". Rather, the question is, "who is doing the resisting?" and "what does that One resist?" Another way to start the asking questions is: "is it pride or grace that is resistible?" or "how do I unlock God's grace?"
If you are humble, God will give you free, unearned grace. The humble will never choose to resist God's grace. Why? Because they know they need the Saviour, Jesus Christ, our God and King.
If one is proud, then God is resisting such a person! It's less about man's free will and more about God's free will. The two wills are at play, true. BUT as always, God is aware of more choices, and is able to utilize more options than us. His will is more informed and able than ours. So the old debate between Calvinists and Arminianists is moot. Grace is neither resistible nor irresistible. It is a a free gift given only to the humble. Humble, meek people will always gladly accept the free unearned favour of the Lord. God doesn't "force" His grace or favour on anyone. And He doesn't waste His grace either.
And Pride? well Pride is the only resistible thing in these 2 main verses James 4:6 and 1 Peter 5:5... and God is the one who resists the haughty, high-minded, arrogant person. But if we stay meek and lowly, God is willing to help us.
And the good news? God can save ANYONE! The proud can humble themselves, forsake Pride, and call on Christ! God is sovereign. And anyone can call on the Lord and be saved! Grace is for ALL who call on the Lord! And guess what? In order to call on the Lord sincerely, one must be humble.
Romans 10:13
For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Blessings
Pastor Curtis
March 25 2023 Sat. 1:48am Eastern.
