Who Does God Help?

There's a popular saying that reads "God helps those who help themselves."

Not only is this not found in the Bible, but it is not at all supported by Scripture.

In truth, the resounding message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is that God helps those who CANNOT help themselves. 

Jesus said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit (Matthew 5:3)," referring to those who understand their spiritual poverty - that we all are sinners, that we all fall short of the perfect standard of God's righteousness (Romans 3:23), and that all of our good works and all of our own efforts to live right are still considered "filthy rags," a more palatable interpretation of a cruder Hebrew term (Isaiah 64:6).

It is only when we come to the absolute end of ourselves, and realize that we NEED God's intervention, that we can come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most (Hebrews 4:16).

In Christ,
Pastor Joe