Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted. James 1:9
The late Gospel preacher David Kember used to tell the story of a young man who was pushing to be assigned greater responsibilities and authority in the local Assembly. This young man, although he had little experience, felt he was smart enough and skilled enough to have the qualifications to be an elder in the Assembly. Besides, he had some new ideas on how to improve some of the things in the Assembly. So he asked for a meeting with the Assembly overseers to present his case. When they sat down with him, he told them what he wanted and what he hoped to accomplish, adding that all he was looking for was what he deserved. One of the older and wiser men looked the young man in the eye and declared, ‘All any of us deserve is to be punished forever in hell. Meeting adjourned!’ That must have been a shocking comedown for that young man! But our verse today should be a comedown for every one of us, if we take it to heart.
Who is the brother – or sister – of low degree that is spoken of in this verse? Is it just referring to the brother or sister who is at the bottom of the social scale? I don’t think so. Or is it just the brother or sister who has very little education? I don’t think so. Or is it just the brother or sister who is a novice in spiritual matters? I don’t think so. Or is it just the brother or sister who is always struggling to maintain a good testimony or who faces continual rebuke for failing to obey the Word of God? I don’t think so. My best guess as to the identify of the brother or sister of low degree is the person who you saw looking back at you the last time you looked into the mirror. The old elder was right; none of us really deserve anything but judgment. The definition of grace – and it is only by grace that we are saved (Ephesians 2:8) – is favour that is unmerited. We don’t deserve to be saved. And the more we realize that, the more we will appreciate the grace of God. But we are saved. And, as our text declares, the reality of our salvation should make us rejoice.
From wretched, hell-bound, ungodly, undeserving sinners, God has exalted us. We are now citizens of Heaven. We are ambassadors for Christ. We are the children of God. We are the apple of His eye and the delight of His heart. We are a people for His possession, zealous of good works. Shall I go on, or are you getting the picture? Of all the billions of residents on planet Earth, the scattered few who are redeemed by the blood of Christ and indwelt by the Spirit of God are the only people in whom the God of Heaven takes delight. That is being exalted. And that is worth celebrating. Does it cause you to rejoice today? – Jim MacIntosh