Five Life-Changing Words
James 4 paints one of the most honest portraits of life in a fallen world.
We are guaranteed to experience conflict and disappointment in our relationships: “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you?” (v.1)
We are guaranteed to experience sinful, selfish desires, even as we try to live a pure and righteous life: “Your passions are at war within you” (v.1)
We are guaranteed to experience outside assault and temptation from the enemy: “Resist the devil” (v. 7)
We are guaranteed to experience sadness, suffering, and loss: “Mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.” (v. 9)
We are guaranteed to experience uncertainty and surprises: “You do not know what tomorrow will bring.” (v. 14)
Wow, this passage is brutally honest about what we all face! Does the harsh reality of living in a sinful, fallen world make you want to give up and quit?
Thankfully, this passage doesn’t leave us there. In the middle of James 4 is a little phrase that changes everything. It’s not an exaggeration to say that these are perhaps the five most life-changing words ever written: “But he gives more grace.” (v. 6)
In the midst of it all, we are guaranteed grace!
Yes, life in a fallen world will be terribly discouraging and painful at times. The Bible never requires that you deny reality and pretend that Christianity transports you to a mythical island where you can live alone with Jesus in peace, while everything around you falls apart.
But, no matter what you are facing, you don’t need to panic. You don’t need to fear. You don’t need to consider abandoning hope.
Why? Because there is grace for whatever struggle you are facing. Hope is found in the One who has invaded your life by his grace. You are never alone.
Jesus is with you. Jesus is in you. Jesus is for you. He offers you grace that is up to the task even when you’re not.
To glorify God every day, we must not shrink our glory focus down to providing only for ourselves.
On the back roads and the
byways
there is grace.
In the throne room
and the boardroom
there is grace.
In the valleys and on the
mountaintop
there is grace.
In the cottage and in the
mansion
there is grace.
In the farmlands and in the
city
there is grace.
For the young and the
old
there is grace.
For the weak and the
strong
there is grace.
For the healthy and the
sick
there is grace.
For the lonely and the
loved
there is grace.
For the sad ones and the
happy
there is grace.
For the hopeful and the
hopeless
there is grace.
For the joyful and the
joyless
there is grace.
For the grieving and those
celebrating
there is grace.
For the welcomed and the
forsaken
there is grace.
For the faithful and the
faithless
there is grace.
For the believer and the
doubter
there is grace.
For the courageous and the
fearful
there is grace.
In the darkness and in the
light
there is grace.
For the sinner and the
seeker
there is grace.
For the worshipper and the
rebel
there is grace.
In the shadows and the
sunlight
there is grace.
In the morning and the
nighttime
there is grace.
For all creation and every
image bearer
there is grace.
For what has been and what is
to come
there is grace.
For what you regret and what you
deny
there is grace.
Everywhere you
are,
no matter who you
are,
no matter what you
face,
no matter what you
need,
no matter what you
feel,
no matter what you’ve
done,
no matter how great your
shame,
no matter how big your
guilt,
there is grace.
For now and for
forever,
there is grace.
Now, go celebrate by reading the entirety of Romans 5! (I have included the first and last two verses below):
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God […] Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5:1–21)
A Prayer for Today: Lord, thank you for the beautiful and intentional reminder in your Word that there is grace for me. Sometimes it is incredibly difficult to see the truth about how gracious and loving you are toward me personally when all the cares and concerns of my life flood in and take over. But above all that, you are always the grace-giver, no matter what I might be going through. Thank you for pouring your grace on me specifically. I’m deeply grateful and I celebrate that grace now. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Discussion Prompt for Children
1. What do you think the word “grace” means? Why is grace such an important part of what it means to know God?
2. How have you seen the grace of God in our lives? Why do you think it’s so important to recognize how God has given his grace to us over and over again, no matter how many times we mess up?
3. How can we trust Jesus even when we’re going through hard things sometimes?
Reflection Questions
1. Why is grace so important when it comes to our connection and relationship with God? What do you think grace even means? How have you seen God’s grace work in your life in ways that help you to trust him and his love for you?
2. How does grace help us know that our relationship with God isn’t contingent on our own effort, drive, commitment, or consistency? What do you think your motivation is behind your devotion to God and a life of obedience to him?
3. Can you think of a time when God was gracious to you, but it didn’t feel like grace in the moment? Take some time to reflect and remember when God poured out his grace on you in a way that deeply impacted your life.
4. What words, emotions, and/or passages of Scripture come to mind when you think about God’s grace toward you? Take some time to jot those words, emotions, and/or Bible passages down and then celebrate how he has moved and cared for you.