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Does God help those who help themselves?

I don't know. Maybe. But I do know two things:

1) There is no "self" in Christian self-control. I mean that literally. The Greek word (egkrateia) translated as "self-control" does not include the word "self."* So, as I make my plans to live out my resolution in 2009, I need to think about exercising self-control not by my own power, but by the power of the Spirit of God.

2) God might not be inclined to help those who help themselves, but He clearly says that he helps those who wait on him:

"From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him." ~ Isa. 64:4

"The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him." ~ Lam. 3:25
May God give us strength to wait on him for help in 2009.

- Chris


*Philip Kenneson suggests that an alternate translation, one that carries slightly less baggage in our culture of self help, would be "continence." See his Life on the Vine, p. 228.
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