I have been doing some research and found something very interesting in regard to the saying, "God helps those who help themselves." Many, even in the Lord's church, believe this is a biblical doctrine. In all kindness, it is not!
The saying first originated with writings of Aesop ("Hercules and the Waggoner", 6th century)! Yep, you heard that right. Where did we come up with such if it originated with Aesop? This most popular quote was penned by Benjamin Franklin in his Poor Richard's Almanac in 1757 and he adapted it from Aesop's fable. (Go ahead and research it!)
In a Washington Post article written back in April 2008, they cited a Barna survey. (The Barna Group takes religious surveys among Americans.) In the survey it was discovered that 80% of Americans believe this statement is a statement of faith and biblically founded.
The Bible in fact, teaches opposite of this statement. Paul taught in Rom. 5:6, "For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly." Man is helpless, especially in regard to their salvation. It is all in the working of God through Jesus, not ourselves. Paul exhorted the Ephesian brethren to "be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might." (Eph. 6:10) We respond by faith to what the Lord asks, but it is never by helping ourselves. We are dependant on Him in every need and situation. We respond because we are looking for His guidance and His will to be the final outcome. We simply follow, giving Him the full right over our lives. We don't help ourselves! We surrender ourselves! Was it not Jesus who taught that "if anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself..." (Matt. 16:24)? Paul found himself despairing of life because of difficulties and it taught him "that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead." (II Cor. 1:9)
The prophet Jeremiah warned the people, "Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind and makes flesh his strength..." (Jer. 17:5) In turn, Jeremiah speaks of the blessings from the Lord, "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and whose trust is the Lord." (Jer. 17:7)
It amazes me sometimes where many who claim to be true believers come up with their ideas of faith. Sometimes people blindly follow something or someone (especially a preacher/teacher) and never seek out if it is true or false. They build their faith and doctrine on statements just because someone says it or writes it in a book. God is right, from years gone by. He spoke plainly about His people, "My people are destroyed for the lack of knowledge." (Hosea 4:6) Maybe this is why so many lives of those in Christ are filled with fears and weaknesses with few answers?
3 comments:
How very true!
Grace and mercy, both, are freely given. There's nothing we can do to improve on that by attempting to help ourselves. There is no "earning" either one.
I have to wonder why "we" (as in the world) have so much misplaced faith in believing that it's up to us. Doesn't God make it rain on both the just and unjust? The unjust may not deserve the rain, it still falls. The just can't make it rain on themselves no matter what they do.
The lack of knowledge is troubling to me personally. I guess that's why I spend more time now than ever seeking the Word. Along with that, I guess that's why I have become more of a regular reader of your postings. To start, they encourage and strength me. In addition, they cause me seek and search the Word of God. If I am "stepping on toes" when I respond, I do humbly apologize. I just find myself say "yes, yes, exactly, yes...." and then wanting to express thoughts about all of it and sometimes I get carried away more than I should.
Being based on the Word of God, your postings are always thoughtful, thought-provoking, and relevant.
Thanks.
The last posting shoudl have been from Jim. Major slippage on the keyboard.
Thanks for the kind responses. I never take anything personal...hard to grow if you do. Step on, it's good for us all!
Post a Comment