The Epistle of James
LOW EXALTED
Scripture Reading: James 1:9 (KJV)
This verse, along with the next two, forms a sort of paradox. The brother of low degree is to rejoice, and the rich brother is to rejoice, too. But they are to rejoice in opposite things: the low degree in that he is exalted, but the rich, in that he is made low. The Gospel of Christ has a leveling effect. It always exalts the lowly, but humbles the high. "He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree" (Luke 1:52). This equality among Christians is emphasized again in James 2:1-7. He is very severe on the rich in chapter 5 verses 1-6, but there it would seem to be those who are not true Christians.
"... the brother of low degree ..." To be a brother is real cause for rejoicing, even though one of low degree. This low degree is only in man's estimation. In God's eyes, all in His family are on the same level. To be a child of God is above any rank or position. You are in a higher place than the highest earthly dignitary. In Christ, you are richer than the richest in this world, and you will be honored above the most famed. So, if we are brethren of low degree, let us not let our heads hang down.
Honor and help brother of low degree: Has the Lord blessed us with riches, or gifts or position? Let us not belittle the brother of low degree. Remember, he is a brother equally with us. Let us rather help him. "If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren ... thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother" (Deut. 15:7).
Most were poor in Bible times: In the time the Bible was written, most were very poor. Only a few were rich, and these were mostly very rich. Consequently most converts to Christianity were among the poor, although there were some from among the rich, too. The average man in our land today has it better than some kings a few hundred years ago. However, it still is true that most converts are from among the poor. It seems very hard to reach the rich.
"... low degree ..." So most in the church today are of low degree. You may be of low degree financially, or inability, or in social standing, or perhaps as to race. None of these things need move you, and it should not affect others toward you either. Perhaps your very standing makes it possible for you to do a work that others cannot do. Low degree work is just as necessary as high degree work. Someone is needed to keep the meeting room clean, to pass out tracts, to work among the poor, and to do so many other things. It is lamentable that black Christians seem to be so lowly esteemed in our land today, yet they are often able to do a work among their people that no white man can come close to doing.
Reward according to faithfulness: A lady visited a school for blind children. She asked them this question: “Supposing there was to be an artists' contest. One artist drew a picture of a queen on her throne; another drew a picture of a blind girl. Which one of them would win the contest?" They answered, "The one who drew the best picture." She then explained to them, that it did not matter as to one's condition or ability; each would be rewarded in heaven according to what they did with what they had. It would be possible for a poor blind Christian to get a greater reward than a Christian queen on her throne.
Lowly in heart: Lowliness of heart is one form of lowliness the Lord loves to see in His own. The Lord will surely exalt those who have this form of lowliness. It is not natural to the flesh; men naturally love to be extolled above others and think more highly of themselves than they ought to think. The Lord Jesus could say, "I am meek and lowly in heart" (Matt. 11:29). "Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 18:4).
"... rejoice in that he is exalted." Every Christian has great reason to rejoice no matter how lowly his standing in the world or in the assembly. He is saved and on the way to heaven. He belongs to Christ and will someday share His glory with Him.
Reasons for rejoicing: Here are a few things which should cause all to rejoice. "But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord" (Jer. 9:24). "Rejoice, because your names are written in heaven" (Luke 10:20). "Rejoice in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:3). "Rejoice in hope of the glory of God" (Rom. 5:2).
"... exalted." The Revised Version has for this last expression, "glory in his high estate." Another: "glory in his elevation." Certainly the lowly are elevated in Christ. There is perhaps no verse that describes the present exaltation of a Christian like 1 Pet. 2:9: "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." We have been born into the royal family; we are on the road to our heavenly kingdom. There is nothing in our outward appearance to tell of our lofty position. The world cannot see it, does not understand it, would not believe it if told, but those who are saved, know, and rejoice in it.
Our future exaltation: We rejoice greatly whenever we think of our future exaltation. "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together" (Rom. 8:17). Are we poor? No indeed, we are rich in Him: "heirs of God." Are we low in honor? No. We are to be glorified with Christ. Are we lowly in appearance, ability, or character? Perhaps, for now, "but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is" (1 John 3:2).
Exalted even in worldly things: Some, being saved, are lowly folks in every way. Some are low in character; yet, when changed into stalwart Christians, live life on a very high plane. They not only become better people, but soon have better jobs and homes, improving their lawns and gardens. They are lifted up in every way. Even the world notes changes of this kind. A few lowly ones are saved and later become wealthy. If the Lord has given you wealth, do not let it spoil you, as we have all sometimes seen, but use your wealth to His glory and praise Him for it. Exalted in the assembly: Many lowly ones in James' time were exalted in the assembly, and this is still so today. Oftentimes, then as now, the poor were the elders, and not the rich. Sometimes, even slaves were elders and their masters were not. Most of the disciples of the Lord were poor lowly fisherman from the sea of Galilee. Oftentimes today those whom the Lord uses in a mighty way are raised up from among the lowly.
Lowly exalted in Old Testament times: David was taken from the sheepcote, despised by his brethren, but exalted to the throne of Israel. Amos was a herdsman, but he became a mighty prophet of the Lord. Gideon said, "My family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house" (Jud. 6:15), but through him the Lord wrought a mighty victory over the Midianites.
Christ the lowly one exalted: The Lord Jesus is the greatest example of a lowly one exalted. He was lowly as to the place of his birth, as to His parentage, as to his home, as to earthly possessions; in His whole life, and also in His death. We read, "He humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name" (Phil. 2:8, 9). He went low enough to pick up the lowest, and raise him with Himself to heights that mortal tongue cannot express. We must say with Hannah, "He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory" (1 Sam. 2:8).
