A couple of weeks ago I wrote on a phrase that many have heard and even claimed that it is in the Bible.\u00a0 However, it was a phrase that is foreign to Scripture.\u00a0 There are a few more that I could think of including this one, “God helps those who help themselves.”\u00a0 I will agree that God does expect us a free-willed, moral agents to take some actions, I would argue that doing those actions in hopes of God helping you will not be rewarded by God.\u00a0 If the statement “God helps those who help themselves” is true then God is entirely dependent upon man, rather than man being entirely dependent upon God.\u00a0 The statement is nothing more than humanistic, ego-driven approach to God that is not found in the Bible.\u00a0 In fact we read in John 15:5, “<\/b>I am the vine, ye are<\/i> the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”\u00a0 Notice the direct quote from Jesus, “for without me ye can do nothing.”\u00a0 If it is all about us doing what we can, then how could Jesus make that statement?\u00a0 The entire context of John 15 is about living in a proper relationship with Christ.\u00a0 Notice the fact that Christ is the vine, the nutrient carrying, life-giving source.\u00a0 We are the branches.\u00a0 For the branches to be healthy, receive proper nutrients to grow, and to bear fruit, we must stay connected to the vine.\u00a0 We must be careful and resist any and all attempts to bring God down to man’s level.<\/p>\n
By His grace and through His strength may we live for Him<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A couple of weeks ago I wrote on a phrase that many have heard and even claimed that it is in the Bible.\u00a0 However, it was a phrase that is foreign to Scripture.\u00a0 There are a few more that I … Read More