Barna did some research to find out the most popular verses in the Bible. One of the verses on the list was: “God helps those who help themselves.”
PROBLEM!!!!!!!
Not only is this NOT a verse in the Bible (it is a quote from Benjamin Franklin), it runs counter to the core truth of the Gospel.
Max Lucado wrote something like this:
“You can’t swim the Pacific. You can’t get to the moon on the tail of a kite. You can’t climb Mt. Everest with a picnic basket and a walking stick. And unless somebody does something for you, you don’t have a chance of getting to heaven.”
One of our favorite hymns is “Amazing Grace.” But I am not sure we really want an Amazing Grace. I think we would rather have “A Mild Grace.” It might look something like this:
“A mild grace, how common the sound
That helped a prize like me!
I once was somewhat misguided but found my way.
My sight was blurred, but when I squint I can see.”
Charles Wesley understood our need for an Amazing Grace:
“He left His Father’s throne above,
So free, so infinite His grace.
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s HELPLESS race.
Tis mercy all, immense and free,
And Oh, my God, it found out me!”
God has helped a helpless race! His love surpasses our knowledge and His grace is amazing! Would you receive His grace today?
richstevenson.org 