The Pulpit Commentary — James — Section 67

volume than the strength of their depravity, or the temptations against which they have to contend. Not only so, but thoBe who employ well the grace which they already posseBs, shall receive more in ever-increasing measure (Matt. xxv. 29). And "the humble," who realize most deeply that they do not deserve any grace at all, are those upon whom God has always bestowed the most copious supplies. The further we depart from pride, which is the fruitful mother of envy and strife, the more freely and abundantly shall we receive that supernatural energy which will drive the love of the world out of our hearts (Prov. iii. 34). CoNOLUBION. Let us impress upon our minds the intensity with which God abhors pride, All history echoes the truth that "he setteth himself in array against the proud." Take the case of Pharaoh, of Nebuchadnezzar, of Ha.man, of Wolsey, of Napoleon. For ourselves, therefore, let us "fling away ambition" in every form. Especially let us crucify spiritual pride. "Many labouring men have got good estates in the Valley of Humiliation;" and if we go there" in the su=er-time" of prosperity we shall learn the song of the shepherd boy- " He that is down needs fear no fall ; He that is low no pride; He that is humble ever shall Have God to be his Guide." (Banyan.) c. J. Vers. 7-10.-Submission to God. This passage is a. powerful and heart-stirring appeal to those professing Christians whose hearts had been full of worldly "pleasures" (ver. 3), and whose hands had been occupied with "wars" and" fightings." ·within these four verses there are no fewer than ten verbs in the imperative mood; but the cardinal precept of the whole paragraph is the exhortation to submission, with which it both opens and closes. The other counsels in vers. 7-9 have reference to elements of conduct which are included in subjection to the Divine will L THE DUTY OF SUBMISSION TO GoD. (Vers. 7, 10.) The immediate connection of "therefore" in ver. 7 is with the quotation at the close of ver. 6. "God sets himself in array against the proud; therefore, be subject unto God." You mast either willingly humble yourselves, or be precipitately humbled by Divine Providence. "God giveth grace to the humble; therefore, be subject unto God." Clothe yourselves with humi- lity, that you may enjoy this "grace." " Be subject" to the Captain of your salvation, as a good 'Soldier is to his commander. Subjection to God includes : 1. Acrzuiescence in his plan of salvation. These Christian Jews of the Dispersion were to avoid the sin of the Hebrew nation generally, in "not subjecting themselves to the righteousness of God" (Rom. x. 3). And we "sinners of the. Gentiles" must throw away that pride of self-righteousness which tempts us also to reject a method of redemption from which all boasting is excluded. We must make the blood of Jesus our only plea, and surrender our hearts to the gracious operations of the Holy Spirit. 2. Obedience to his law. If we submit ourselves to the righteousness of God in the gospel, we shall begin to reverence and admire and obey the moral law. We shall be willing that God should reign over us and rule within us. We shall allow him to control us in body and mind, in intellect and conscience, in heart and will, in act and habit. We shall forsake our sins. We shall long and labour to be holy. 3. Acceptance of his dealings in providence. We are to be contented with the lot in life which God has assigned to us. We are to be willing to receive evil as well as good at his hand. We must bear affliction patiently, not because it is useless to murmur, but because it is wrong to do so. In our times of sorrow we must not challenge God's sovereignty, or impugn his justice, or arraign his wisdom, or distrust his love. The spirit of Christian submission says," Let us also rejoice in our tribulations" (Rom. v. 3). II. ELEMENTS OF OBARACTEB WHICH ENTER INTO THIS SUBMISSION. These are set forth in the body of the passage (vers. 7-9). 1. We must resist Satan. (Ver. 7.) To" be subject unto God"' necessarily involves resistance to God's great enemy. Human nature has in it the element of combativeness; and the greater any man's force of character, he is likely to be the more thorough a hater. But the Christian should not "fight and w,.r" lfiih pjs fl)llow-believers, his quarnil ill to~ with Satan, and with Sat~n's Wl.lrk:1,  6Z THE GENERAL EPISTLE OF JAMES.