THE GRAVITY OF GRACE

The Lord's attitude toward you is determined by your attitude toward yourself. It involves both a threat and a promise ... 

God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. James 4:6

He stands in opposition to those steeped in pride. Other sins bring disgrace to a man's life, but pride alone displays a type of 'arrogant bravery' ... an egocentric assessment of one's worth. It is the sin that openly rebels against God's sovereignty. 

Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; though they join forces, none will go unpunished. Proverbs 16:5

Pride demands ... 'Lord, bless me in light of my merits'. But grace does not deal with a man based on who he is, but on who the Son of God is.

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. Ephesians 1:7

The perfect progression of God's amazing grace ... 

1. Common grace - that which is given to everyone, e.g., air to breathe, warmth of the sun, etc.

2. Saving grace - the sovereign work of calling sinners to Himself so that they might believe the gospel and be saved.

3. Sanctifying grace - that which is given by the Lord to assist a believer in his spiritual maturity.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Ephesians 2:8

Understand the 'gravity of grace'. It is like the natural course of water. It falls from the sky as rain, cascades down the mountainside, and seeks the lowest meadow where it can refresh the soil. 

When you humbly bow at the foot of Calvary's Cross, grace flows down and into your life ... bringing with it the forgiveness of sin, redemption found in Jesus Christ, and eternal life.