UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER (11 OF 17)
by Richard Laue
Scripture: JAMES 4:6-10
This content is part of a series.
Unconditional Surrender (11 of 17)
Series: The Epistle of James
Richard Laue
James 4:6-10
On June 4, 1940, less than one month before the battle of Britain began, Sir Winston Churchill broadcast to the British people these words:
"We shall not flag or fail. We shall fight in France. We shall fight on the seas and oceans. We shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air. We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches. We shall fight on the landing grounds. We shall fight in the fields and in the streets. We shall fight in the hills. We shall never surrender!"
That speech and others like it inspired the British people and all of Europe; and eventually, the victory was won.
A speech like that motivates us. It is a call to arms, and we want to respond. That kind of inspiration can bring victory on the human level, but never in the spiritual heart. Spirituality is the opposite. Spirituality, instead of taking up arms, we lay down our arms. Jesus said to Peter, "If we live by the sword, we shall perish by the sword."
James is still attempting to raise up powerful leaders for the ministry of Christ. He is looking for the marks of the master teacher. He is looking for people to whom He can give "greater grace" (Verse 6). His leaders are not proud; they are humble. His leaders, His people, "have strength that is made perfect in weakness."
"God resists the proud." That means He opposes; He fights the proud. When we fall into pride, we have a fight on our hands with God. In Psalm 18:27 God says He "will save the afflicted, but will bring down high looks." In Proverbs 3:34 He says, "He scoffeth at the scoffers, but he giveth grace unto the lowly."
"The trouble with pride is that it resists God. The proud man in his understanding resists the truths of God. In his will he resists the laws of God. In his emotions he resists the providence of God." Matthew Henry said that.
What is this destruct ...
Series: The Epistle of James
Richard Laue
James 4:6-10
On June 4, 1940, less than one month before the battle of Britain began, Sir Winston Churchill broadcast to the British people these words:
"We shall not flag or fail. We shall fight in France. We shall fight on the seas and oceans. We shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air. We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches. We shall fight on the landing grounds. We shall fight in the fields and in the streets. We shall fight in the hills. We shall never surrender!"
That speech and others like it inspired the British people and all of Europe; and eventually, the victory was won.
A speech like that motivates us. It is a call to arms, and we want to respond. That kind of inspiration can bring victory on the human level, but never in the spiritual heart. Spirituality is the opposite. Spirituality, instead of taking up arms, we lay down our arms. Jesus said to Peter, "If we live by the sword, we shall perish by the sword."
James is still attempting to raise up powerful leaders for the ministry of Christ. He is looking for the marks of the master teacher. He is looking for people to whom He can give "greater grace" (Verse 6). His leaders are not proud; they are humble. His leaders, His people, "have strength that is made perfect in weakness."
"God resists the proud." That means He opposes; He fights the proud. When we fall into pride, we have a fight on our hands with God. In Psalm 18:27 God says He "will save the afflicted, but will bring down high looks." In Proverbs 3:34 He says, "He scoffeth at the scoffers, but he giveth grace unto the lowly."
"The trouble with pride is that it resists God. The proud man in his understanding resists the truths of God. In his will he resists the laws of God. In his emotions he resists the providence of God." Matthew Henry said that.
What is this destruct ...
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