Not Self-Help, But a New Self

I hate AA.

I hate any program which makes me look at myself, to tell me that I can make myself better with a little more effort.

That is the essence of self-righteousness, which is right down there with trying to make yourself better, otherwise known as self-help or self-actualization.

The more that man tries to help himself, the more that he find himself helpless.

We are not here for ourselves, for we did not make ourselves.

"3Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture." (Psalm 100: 3)

We came from God, and so anything that we are, that we have, that we do must start with Him, not with us.

From the moment that Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, they chose to trust in their own efforts rather than rest in God and let Him be their life.

The very idea that we can live this life on our own and through our efforts is a complete joke, yet a very fatal and not very funny joke.

"In him was life; and the life was the light of men." (John 1: 4)

If we want life, if we want light, then there is just one source: Jesus!

"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." (John 8: 12)

and then

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14: 6)

This verses are not open for debate. Either you believe Him or you don't.

By the way, the one work that He calls us to? To believe on Him whom the Father has sent (John 6: 29)

There is no need for self-help, because in Christ we receive a new self, one endowed with His perfect life and strength and standing.

"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." (Romans 8: 15)

and then

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (2 Corinthians 5: 17)

New creation, new person, no longer in dead Adam but alive and reigning in life through Christ Jesus (Romans 5:17)

And of course, John wrote this truth so well:

"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 17)

Does Jesus need self-improvement? So are you in this world! Does Jesus need to take His inventory or work a Twelve Step program? Then so are you in this world!

We are called to be in Christ, not in ourselves. There is no need for a counselor for the Wonderful-Counselor, our Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9: 6), ministers on our behalf after the power of an endless life (Hebrews 7: 16)

He is our help, and when we accept that we are helpless in and of ourselves, then He is our Help:

"1For the Chief Musician: a Psalm of the sons of Korah; set to Alamoth. A Song. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." (Psalm 46: 10)

And because He is our high-priest forever, we come boldly before Him in any time of need:

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4: 16)

Forget self-help, and help yourself to all of Jesus!