Never Alone (6 of 14)
Series: Focus on Your Family
Keith Krell
John 14:15-31
Hezekiah 6:1 says, "God helps those who help themselves." Can I get an amen? Perhaps a "Preach it, brother?" No? Why not?! "This is not a biblical citation," you reply. You are correct. Despite what many Christians think, "God helps those who help themselves" is likely the most often quoted phrase that isn't in the Bible. This saying is usually attributed to Ben Franklin, quoted in Poor Richard's Almanac (1757). Franklin and his contemporaries adapted it from one of Aesop's Fables—Hercules and the Waggoner (6th century BC). In the story, a waggoner's heavy load becomes bogged down in mud. In despair, the waggoner cries out to Hercules for help. Hercules replies, "Get up and put your shoulder to the wheel. The gods help them that help themselves." It's rather ironic that a polytheistic tale appealing to Greek mythology has now made its way into what many believers think is in the pages of Scripture.
"God helps those who help themselves" is not merely extrabiblical; it is also unbiblical. It is polar opposite of the message of Scripture. The Bible insists that God helps the helpless. Today, if you are feeling helpless and hopeless, don't despair. If you are feeling lonely and discouraged, don't lose heart. Jesus has a word for you. In John 14:15-31, on the eve before His death, Jesus imparts to His distressed disciples His final words. In these waning moments, He declares: God helps those who help themselves to Him. This is the message of John 14 and the whole Bible. In every area of spiritual life, from beginning to end, God only helps those who help themselves to Him.
This passage begins in 14:15 with a "hinge" verse. John links the previous section (14:1-14) with this section (14:15-31). Previously, Jesus taught about His relationship to the Father. Now He explains His relationship to the Holy Spirit. He says, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." Jesus does ...
Series: Focus on Your Family
Keith Krell
John 14:15-31
Hezekiah 6:1 says, "God helps those who help themselves." Can I get an amen? Perhaps a "Preach it, brother?" No? Why not?! "This is not a biblical citation," you reply. You are correct. Despite what many Christians think, "God helps those who help themselves" is likely the most often quoted phrase that isn't in the Bible. This saying is usually attributed to Ben Franklin, quoted in Poor Richard's Almanac (1757). Franklin and his contemporaries adapted it from one of Aesop's Fables—Hercules and the Waggoner (6th century BC). In the story, a waggoner's heavy load becomes bogged down in mud. In despair, the waggoner cries out to Hercules for help. Hercules replies, "Get up and put your shoulder to the wheel. The gods help them that help themselves." It's rather ironic that a polytheistic tale appealing to Greek mythology has now made its way into what many believers think is in the pages of Scripture.
"God helps those who help themselves" is not merely extrabiblical; it is also unbiblical. It is polar opposite of the message of Scripture. The Bible insists that God helps the helpless. Today, if you are feeling helpless and hopeless, don't despair. If you are feeling lonely and discouraged, don't lose heart. Jesus has a word for you. In John 14:15-31, on the eve before His death, Jesus imparts to His distressed disciples His final words. In these waning moments, He declares: God helps those who help themselves to Him. This is the message of John 14 and the whole Bible. In every area of spiritual life, from beginning to end, God only helps those who help themselves to Him.
This passage begins in 14:15 with a "hinge" verse. John links the previous section (14:1-14) with this section (14:15-31). Previously, Jesus taught about His relationship to the Father. Now He explains His relationship to the Holy Spirit. He says, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." Jesus does ...
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