1 Peter 5:5 You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.
Romans 4:16 For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all,
One of the reasons that men hate true grace is because there is nothing that man can do to earn or merit the slightest bit of grace. While this is an established fact in certain theologies, that is different than saying that all men who hold to those theologies love true grace. It is far easier to hold to a theology of grace than to love the truth of grace. The doctrine of grace as set forth in Scripture teaches man that man must be emptied of all hope in self, the works of self, and the righteousness of self. The teaching of Scripture as to what grace really is sets out that man cannot do anything to earn any part of grace. The proud heart of man wants to do something to obtain or do something that would make God more likely to give it to him.
God either gives grace because of who He is or because of what man has done. God either shows grace based on Himself or based on man. God either gives grace because of the work of Christ or because of the work of man. God either shows grace based on the merit and value of Christ or the merit and value of man. God either shows grace to the manifestation of His own glory and pleasure or for the glory and pleasure of man. Now one can argue that there is no real “either” in the above scenarios, but instead there is a combination of the two. Romans 11:6 puts that point our of consideration.
Romans 11:6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.
Whatever is on the basis of grace is no longer on the basis of works, for that would make grace no longer to be grace. If something is on the basis of grace alone, that means that it is no longer on the basis of works at all. As Romans 3:28 sets out, “For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.” The “job” or action of faith is to be turned from hope in self and trust in grace apart from works. This turning from self is humility because pride looks to self and seeks the exaltation of self. The Scriptures set out the great hope of the soul and it is in Christ alone by grace alone. A real and true grace can only be moved by God with the great intent and motive of doing it for the glory of His own name. The glory of true grace is that it is shown by a sovereign God and there is no basis in man for God to do so.
Grace shines forth in great beauty and glory in Jesus Christ and in Him alone. Grace shines forth with the power and holiness of God in opposition to the helplessness and unholiness of man. Grace shines forth with perfect justice carried in Christ as opposed to the injustice of men toward God and other men.. Grace shines forth with the perfect love of God on display at the cross and in giving the sinner hope in Christ rather than the sins of self which man carried out in enmity to God and other men. The proud hate grace alone though they might accept some help from God as long as they can remain in control, but that very desire to be in control and to just accept help rather than have grace do it all is demonstrative evidence of a horrible pride and self-sufficiency. As God’s free gift of healing to Naaman was spoiled by Gehazi accepting clothes and a little silver, so men wanting to add to grace spoils the free gift of the Gospel.
What man could possibly think that Jesus the Christ would take a human body, live on this earth, and then suffer and die for sinners and then leave something left for them to do? What can it mean for grace to leave something for men to do to save themselves? What can it mean for grace to be unable to overcome all the sin of men but one and then leave men to overcome that sin themselves? What can it mean for grace to be unable to manifest the perfect love of God and yet for men to be able to do so? Christ died for the worst of sinners rather than just those who could make up for a few things themselves. Christ died for those who could not help themselves in the slightest. Christ suffered for all the sins of sinners who give up all hope of suffering for one sin. Christ earned a perfect righteousness for sinners who give up all hope of any righteousness in themselves. Why is that? It is because God saves by grace alone to the glory of His name alone.
God Loves... Himself 
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