I’m quite sure you’ve hear the statement before. Perhaps
it was in the form of an encouragement, perhaps in the form of a correction or
rebuke, perhaps even in the form of a defense. Whatever the circumstances may
have been, our next common misunderstanding is the belief that “God helps those
who help themselves.”
What
are they actually saying?
Those who say this and believe it are saying some
variant of “If I do my part God will do his.” It can be particularly
reciprocal: “If I scratch his back, he’ll scratch mine,” or legalistic: “God
will only show his goodness if I am good first,” or manipulative: “God! I did
this, so you owe me.”
But what do they think they’re saying? Something
much more admirable, to be sure. They’re trying to recognize some degree of ‘synergism’
or ‘working together’ with God. If you’ve followed the recent happenings with
TGC and Tullian, you know that synergism is a hotly-debated topic. Nonetheless
there is a type of synergism that everyone would agree to: God has chosen to
work through means. Under ordinary circumstances, God uses ordinary means to achieve
his desired ends—also known as providence. God typically uses rain to water the
ground. God typically uses gravity to draw the rain to the ground. God
typically uses the mass of the earth to create its gravitational pull. And on
and on we go. Similarly God uses humans to accomplish his mission upon the
earth. God has instituted and established certain laws and principles by which
life abides—just read the Proverbs of King Solomon. In his wisdom, Yahweh has
provided for societies to be built, and for economies to subsist. He has given
unto men and women work to be
accomplished. So in a way… yes: God
has provided means to those [helps those] that they might sustain life [who
help themselves]. But that is not what
most actually mean (see above paragraph).
A
greater truth…
Actually, we ought to be ecstatic that “helping
ourselves” isn’t prerequisite. Because the reality is that we are all helpless
beggars, in treason from the law of God and in rebellion against his person
stumbling along and making use of his generous provision—from the slightest
breath to the most pronounced intelligence and voice. God is the initiator. He is
the first cause. And with his unwarranted generosity, we would be left desolate
and destitute destined for asphyxiation. No, but far from it: God looks to
those who are humble and contrite in heart (Is.60), he shows grace to the poor
(Mt.5) and the ones who weep and mourn. The desperate and needy are precisely
those who receive unfathomable mercy and grace from the abounding goodness of
God. In other words… God helps those who cannot help themselves.
In grace, Christ has appeared to us while we were
trapped in the dominion of death and sin. He has liberated us.
We who could do no good, and could not even lift our
eyes to the heavens without worshiping creation—us has he wakened.
Who can ascend the hill of the Lord? Only the one
who is pure and upright in heart. That was none of us, but now it is any who
believe in Jesus; for we have received his righteousness in place of our own.
God does not need
you to be good for him first, so that he can finally pour into you the blessings he’s been longing to give.
Contrary to what some people believe, God can break into your heart whether you’ve
opened it or not; God can break into your mind whether you’ve opened it or not.
God is omnipotent, and you cannot compete against omnipotence. God will do
whatsoever he will do. You’re the one who has to respond.
So…
Instead of throwing off the sheets and jumpstarting
your life agenda… spend a few minutes or a couple hours in solitary dependence
upon the gracious and wise, all powerful God who supplies you with all your
needs; who has worked even before you have. And then get out there and accomplish the good works he has prepared in
advance for you to do (Eph.2.10).
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Others in this series:
