Myth, 60

~ God Helps Those Who Help Themselves ~

 

Introduction  ~  This is one of those thoughts which contain some truth, but in the common usage of the term it is false. 

 

True  ~  With regard to Christians God helps His children as they act responsibly before Him.  Thinking of it another way while we must recognize our total and complete dependence on God we also must act responsibly before our God. 

 

Regarding unbelievers, no amount of self-effort can put you in good standing with the Creator, God of the universe.  Right relationship is only by faith in His Son Jesus Christ.

 

False  ~  When it comes to the important issue of having a right relationship with God it is only possible when one recognizes they are powerless to save themselves.  In other words, God helps those who realize they cannot help themselves! 

 

“For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly [you and me].  For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.  But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.  For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.  And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation” (Romans 5:6-11).

 

Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches.  He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

 

Quote  ~  “To declare that God helps those who help themselves, is to repudiate one of the most precious truths taught in the Bible, and in the Bible alone; namely, that God helps those who are unable to help themselves, who have tried again and again only to fail.”  A.W. Pink (The Sovereignty of God)

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

Be an insider!  Sign up for his author NEWSLETTER and receive occasional news and special offers.  His books have won national and international literary awards.  Subscribe today and receive a welcome gift.  Your email will never be sold, given, or used in any other way.  You can easily unsubscribe at any time. 

 

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .