Thursday, May 24, 2007

The Brother of Low Degree


James 1:9-10 KJV
Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:
But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.

I note that the one of low degree is "the brother" but the other is just "the rich." Likely James does not count rich man as a brother.

Gill's commentary concerning the brother of low degree's exaltation says he may rejoice, "…
In that high estate, to which he is advanced; for a person may be very low and mean, as to his worldly circumstances, and yet be very high, and greatly exalted in a spiritual sense: and this height of honour and grandeur, of which he may boast and glory, amidst his outward poverty, lies in his high birth and descent, being born from above, and of God, and belonging to His family; in being an adopted Son of God, and so an heir of God, and a joint-heir with Christ, and of the heavenly inheritance and kingdom;
In the present riches of grace he is possessed of, as justifying, pardoning, and sanctifying grace; and
In the high titles, he bears, as besides the new name, the name better than that of sons and daughters of the greatest potentate, even that of a Son of the Lord God Almighty, his being a King, and a priest unto God, and for whom a kingdom, crown, and throne are prepared; and also
In the company he daily keeps and is admitted to, as of God, and Christ, and the holy angels:
And this height of honour have all the saints, be they ever so poor in this world, who can vie with the greatest of princes for sublimity and grandeur.”[1]

There is much a man might meditate up right here. Oh, the place God has given to the child of God! This world may think us low, but what wonders belong to us in the sight of our God.


[1] E-Sword 7.7.7, John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible, Dr. John Gill (1690-1771)

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